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PROCEEDINGS  AND  DEBATES 


OF  THE 


FOURTH  NATIONAL 


Quarantine  anfr  Sanitarg  Conkntinn, 


HELD 


IN  THE  CITY  OF  BOSTON, 


JUNE  14,  15,  AND  16,  1860. 


REPORTED  FOR  THE  CITY  COUNCIL  OF  BOSTON. 


BOSTON: 

GEO.  C.  RAND  & AVERY,  CITY  PRINTERS, 

NO.  3 CORNHILL. 

1 8 6 0. 


CITY  OF  BOSTON 


In  Board  of  Aldermen,  Sept.  3,  1860. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  on  the  Reception  and  Entertainment  of  the  Fourth 
National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention  be  authorized,  in  conjunction  with 
the  Committee  on  Printing,  to  print  the  Proceedings  and  Debates  of  said  Conven- 
tion, and  that  the  expense  thereof  be  charged  to  the  Appropriation  for  Incidental 
Expenses  and  Miscellaneous  Claims, 

Read  twice  and  passed. 

Sent  down  for  concurrence.  OTIS  CLAPP,  Chairman. 


Concurred, 


In  Common  Council,  September  6, 1860. 
J.  P.  BRADLEE,  President. 


Approved.  Sept,  8,  1860. 


F.  W.  LINCOLN,  Jr.,  Mayor. 


Reported  and  printed  under  the  direction  of  the  Joint  Special  Committee  upon 
the  Entertainment  of  the  Fourth  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention. 


Alderman  FRANCIS  E.  FAXON, 

“ HARRISON  O.  BRIGGS, 
“ SILAS  PIERCE, 
Councilman  ANSEL  LOTHROP, 

“ PRESCOTT  BARKER, 

“ HORACE  JENKINS, 

J.  W.  ROBERTS, 

“ L,  S.  HAPGOOD. 


Committee. 


51b  l 


b IT'  U 'O 


/VflT 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  transactions  of  no  Association,  recent  in  origin,  voluntary  in  charac- 
ter, and  changeable  in  composition,  have  attracted  more  general  interest,  or 
been  productive  of  more  beneficial  results  in  their  effect  upon  public 
sentiment  and  upon  legislative  action,  than  those  of  the  National  Quarantine 
and  Sanitary  Convention  of  the  United  States.  The  fourth  session  of  the 
Convention,  held  in  Boston,  in  June,  1860,  though  its  debates  and  essays 
were  less  voluminous  than  those  of  some  of  its  predecessors,  was  animated 
by  an  unabated  interest  in  the  cause  of  Sanitary  Reform,  and  reached  con- 
clusions which  will  doubtless  be  no  less  useful  in  the  future.  The  record  of 
the  discussions  of  the  Convention  and  its  attendant  festive  occasions  being 
deemed  of  value  to  all  Associations  and  individuals  concerned  in  the 
promotion  of  public  health  and  the  advancement  of  Sanitary  Science,  a 
full  Report  thereof  has  been  made  and  is  printed  in  this  volume,  together 
with  the  papers  submitted  for  the  consideration  of  the  Convention  by 
Committees  appointed  in  previous  years.  The  publication  has  been  attended 
with  some  unavoidable  delays,  and  although  considerable  care  has  been  used 
to  make  the  history  as  accurate  as  possible,  a few  errors  have  occurred 
in  the  proof,  which,  it  is  hoped,  by  those  who  had  the  book  in  charge,  will  be 
kindly  overlooked. 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  CONVENTION, 


President. 

DR.  JACOB  BIGELOW,  of  Boston. 


Vice-Presidents. 

Hon.  R.  D.  ARNOLD,  Georgia. 

A.  H.  STEVENS,  m.d.,  New  York. 

H.  G.  CLARK,  m.  d.,  Massachusetts. 

JOHN  F.  LAMB,  m.  d.,  Pennsylvania. 

JUDSON  GILMAN,  m.  d.,  Maryland. 

Hon.  MOSES  BIGELOW,  New  Jersey. 

Hon.  J.  C.  KNIGHT,  Rhode  Island. 

ROBERT  THOMPSON,  m.  d.,  Ohio. 

C.  B.  GUTHRIE,  m.  d.,  Tennessee. 

THOMAS  STEWARD  SON,  m.  d.,  Pennsylvania. 
Hon.  THOS.  ASPINWALL,  Massachusetts. 

J.  W.  HOUCK,  m.  d.,  Maryland. 

Secretaries. 

CALVIN  ELLIS,  m.  d.,  Boston. 

J.  B.  JONES,  m.  d.,  Brooklyn,  New  York. 

WM.  TAYLOR,  m.  d.,  Newark. 

DAVID  C.  DODD,  Jr.,  Newark. 


COMMITTEES  FOR  1860-1861 


Committee  of  Arrangements  for  the  ensuing  Year. 

Dr.  EDWARD  MEAD,  Cincinnati. 

MAYOR  BISHOP,  Cincinnati. 

NICHOLAS  LONGWORTH,  Cincinnati. 
Dr.  M.  B.  WRIGHT,  Cincinnati. 

R.  B.  BOWLER,  Cincinnati. 

J.  M.  WIGHTMAN,  Boston. 

WM.  TAYLOR,  Philadelphia. 

Dr.  JUDSON  GILMAN,  Baltimore. 

R.  H.  SHANNON,  New  York. 

P.  M.  WETMORE,  New  York. 


On  External  Hygiene.  (Continued.) 

A.  N.  BELL,  m.  d.,  Brooklyn. 

WILSON  JEWELL,  m.  d.,  Philadelphia, 
ELISHA  HARRIS,  m.  d.,  New  York. 

R.  D.  ARNOLD,  m.  d , Savannah. 

H.  G.  CLARK,  m.  d.,  Boston. 


On  Civic  Cleanliness.  (Continued.) 

E.  L.  YIELE,  New  York. 

CHARLES  H.  HAS  WELL,  New  York. 
HENRY  GUERNSEY,  m.  d.,  New  York. 

E.  M.  SNOW,  m.  d.,  Providence,  R.  I. 

OTIS  CLAPP,  Boston. 

HENRY  IRWIN,  Virginia. 

On  Dispensaries.  ( Continued. ) 

F.  E.  MATHER,  New  York. 

H.  ST.  CLAIR  ASH,  m.  d.,  Philadelphia 
SOLOMON  I).  TOWNSEND,  m.  d.,  Boston. 
JUDSON  GILMAN,  m.  d.,  Baltimore. 

C.  C.  SAVAGE,  Brooklyn. 

J.  B.  ALLEY,  m.  d.,  Boston. 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


7 


On  the  Nature  and  Sources  of  Miasmata 

ROBERT  THOMPSON,  m.  d.,  Ohio. 
G.  W.  COWDRY,  m.  d.,  Virginia. 
JOHN  BELL,  m.  d.,  Philadelphia. 


On  the  Quality  and  Supply  of  Food  in  Cities,  Markets,  and  Abattoirs, 

(Continued.) 

ELISHA  HARRIS,  m.  d.,  New  York. 

JOHN  JEFFRIES,  JR.,  m.  d.,  Massachusetts. 

F.  J.  OTTARSON,  New  York. 

STEPHEN  SMITH,  m.  d.,  New  York. 

JOHN  BELL,  m.  d.,  Philadelphia. 


On  State  Medicine. 

JOHN  ORDRONAUX,  m.  d.,  New  York. 
Hon.  MOSES  KIMBALL,  Boston. 

ROBERT  THOMPSON,  m.  d.,  Ohio. 

A.  La  ROCHE,  m.  d.,  Philadelphia. 

a.  n.  McLaren,  m.d.,  u.  s.  a. 


On  Plans  of  Tenement  Houses. 

CHARLES  H.  HASWELL,  New  York. 
S.  B.  HALLIDAY,  New  York. 
JOSIAH  CURTIS,  m.  d.,  Boston. 

W.  B.  BIBBINS,  m.  d.,  New  York. 

H.  G.  CLARK,  m.  d.,  Boston. 


On  the  Effects  of  Climate  on  Health. 

GEORGE  H.  SNELLING,  Boston. 
JOSIAH  CURTIS,  m.  d.,  Boston. 
JOSIAH  QUINCY,  Jr.,  Boston. 


On  Hours  of  Labor. 

GEORGE  H.  SNELLING,  Boston. 
S.  B.  HALLIDAY,  New  York. 
Hon.  J.  C KNIGHT,  Providence. 


On  Permanent  Organization  of  the  Association. 

WILSON  JEWELL,  m.  d.,  Philadelphia. 
PROSPER  M.  WETMORE,  New  York. 

J.  M.  WIGHTMAN,  Boston. 

J.  H.  GRISCOM,  m.  d.,  New  York. 

C.  B.  GUTHRIE,  m.  d.,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


8 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


On  Maps  for  Statistical  and  Sanitary  Purposes. 

E.  B.  ELLIOT,  m.  d.,  Boston. 

E.  L.  VIELE,  New  York. 

R.  D.  ARNOLD,  m.  D.r  Savannah. 

WM.  S.  RUSCHENBERGER,  m.  d.,  Philadelphia. 
J.  B.  JONES,  m.  d.,  Brooklyn. 


To  aid  in  carrying  out  Resolution  2d  of  the  Committee  on  External 

Hygiene. 

Gov.  EMERSON,  Pennsylvania. 

Dr.  DUNN,  New  York, 

Dr.  SNOW,  Rhode  Island. 

Dr.  MORI  ARTY,  Massachusetts. 

Dr.  J.  A.  NICHOLS,  New  Jersey. 

Dr.  C.  B.  GUTHRIE,  Tennessee. 

Dr.  THOMPSON,  Ohio. 

Dr.  KEMP,  Maryland. 


FOURTH  NATIONAL 


The  Fourth  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention  was  held 
in  the  city  of  Boston,  at  the  Hall  of  the  Massachusetts  Charitable 
Mechanics’  Association,  corner  of  Bedford  and  Chauncy  streets,  on 
Thursday,  Friday,  and  Saturday,  June  14th,  15th,  and  16th,  1860. 

The  Convention  was  called  to  order  at  10  i o’clock  on  Thursday 
morning,  by  Hon.  Frederic  W.  Lincoln,  Jr.,  Mayor  of  Boston ; and 
on  motion  of  Alderman  Silas  Pierce  of  Boston,  a temporary  organiza- 
tion was  effected  by  the  choice  of  Dr.  John  H.  Griscom,  of  New 
York,  President,  and  Dr.  Henry  G.  Clark,  of  Boston,  Secretary. 

Dr.  Griscom,  on  taking  the  Chair,  said  : I have  to  thank  the 
Convention  now  assembled  for  this  renewed  evidence  of  their  confi- 
dence in  me;  and  on  taking  this  Chair  again,  I deem  it  a fit  subject 
for  mutual  congratulation,  that  we  have  been  permitted  to  assemble 
once  more,  for  the  promotion  of  the  great  purpose  for  which  this 
Convention  has  been  organized,  which  will  be  seen  by  the  programme 
of  the  proceedings,  which  will  be  laid  before  you,  to  promise  no  less 
interest  than  the  three  annual  meetings  which  have  preceded. 

Alderman  Starr,  of  New  York,  moved  the  appointment  of  a 
Committee,  consisting  of  one  delegate  from  each  State  represented  in 
the  Convention,  to  recommend  a list  of  officers  to  the  Convention. 

Dr.  Stevens,  of  New  York.  I desire  to  offer  an  amendment,  as 
expressive  of  the  sense  of  the  Convention  in  regard  to  the  principle 
of  rotation  in  office.  That  principle  has  been  adopted  in  the  case  of 
the  American  Medical  Association,  and  has  been  found  to  work  bene- 
ficially. I move  that  the  Committee,  in  the  selection  of  officers,  be 
instructed  to  adopt  the  principle  of  rotation  in  office. 

Gen.  Wetmore,  of  New  York.  I think  the  amendment  unnecessary, 
because  I believe  it  to  be  a well-settled  principle  of  the  Association, 
that  rotation  in  office  shall  prevail ; and  I believe,  also,  that  it  is  well 
understood  that  there  is- to  be  rotation  here.  A change  took  place 
from  Philadelphia  to  Baltimore,  and  from  Baltimore  to  New  York, 
and  certainly  every  member  comes  prepared  to  vote  for  another  change, 


10 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


now  that  we  have  got  to  Boston.  I certainly  hope  that  the  motion 
will  be  withdrawn,  when  I assure  the  mover,  as  I do  from  my  own 
knowledge,  that  his  suggestion  will  be  carried  out.  I would  rather 
that  this  should  seem  to  be  the  spontaneous  action  of  the  Convention, 
than  under  the  trammels  of  instructions. 

Dr.  Stevens  then  withdrew  his  motion. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Joseph  M.  Wightman,  of  Boston,  a recess  of  ten 
minutes  was  taken,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  each  delegation  to 
select  its  member  for  the  committee  just  ordered. 

On  reassembling,  the  Committee  to  nominate  a list  of  officers  was 
announced,  as  follows:  C.  C.  Savage,  of  New  York;  Joseph  M. 
Wightman,  of  Massachusetts  ; Dr.  Ruschenberger,  of  Pennsylvania ; 
Isaac  A.  Nichols,  of  New  Jersey;  Edwin  M.  Snow,  of  Rhode  Island; 
Jacob  W.  Houck,  of  Maryland;  Hon.  R.  D.  Arnold,  of  Georgia;  C. 
B.  Guthrie,  of  Tennessee ; Robert  Thompson,  of  Ohio. 

The  President  stated  that  Dr.  McLaren,  of  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment of  the  United  States  Army,  had  been  delegated  by  the  Secretary 
of  War  to  attend  the  Convention,  and  was  present,  and  that  his  name 
would  be  added  to  the  Committee. 

Mr.  Wightman  moved  that  the  Committee  now  retire,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  nominating  officers  for  the  Convention,  and  the  motion  was 
agreed  to. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Gilman,  of  Baltimore, 

Voted , That  until  otherwise  ordered,  the  rules  and  orders  adopted 
by  this  Convention  at  its  session  in  1857,  be  adopted  for  its  govern- 
ment during  the  present  session. 

Mayor  Lincoln  then  addressed  the  Convention  as  follows : — 

As  the  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee,  appointed  at  the 
last  session  to  make  arrangements  for  this  present  meeting,  I will  state, 
that  an  invitation  was  sent  out  to  all  the  societies  represented 
in  former  Conventions,  and  all  the  Boards  of  Health  in  the  different 
cities  which  have  heretofore  been  represented ; and  in  addition  to  this, 
we  have  followed  an  example  which  was  established  at  the  first  Con- 
vention, and  which  has  been  followed  up  since,  of  inviting  the  local 
societies  of  Boston  and  vicinity  to  send  representatives  to  this  body ; 
and  we  have  also  taken  the  liberty,  as  has  been  done  in  other  cases,  to 
invite  distinguished  gentlemen,  not  belonging  to  any  particular  body, 
known  to  be  interested  in  sanitary  matters,  to  take  seats  in  the  Con- 
vention. I have  a list  of  the  names  of  the  delegates  that  have  been 
registered  this  morning,  and  I suppose  it  would  be  well  that  it  should 
be  read,  so  that  gentlemen  may  know  who  are  associated  with  them. 
I will  state,  however,  that  the  list  is  quite  incomplete,  as  several  gen- 
tlemen have  already  entered  the  hall  who  have  not  registered  their 


National  Quarantine,  Convention. 


11 


names,  and  the  Executive  Committee  have  received  information  of  the 
appointment  of  a number  of  delegates,  by  several  cities  and  societies, 
who  have  not  yet  arrived,  but  who  probably  will  be  here  before  the 
Convention  closes  its  sessions.  But  a sufficient  number  are  already 
assembled  to  enable  the  Convention  to  prpceed  with  its  business. 

The  list  of  names  was  then  read,  after  which  Mayor  Lincoln  pro- 
ceeded, as  follows : — 

Mr.  President,  while  I am  on  the  floor,  permit  me,  as  the  Chair- 
man of  the  Executive  Committee  and  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  this 
city,  to  give  a most  cordial  welcome  to  the  gentlemen  who  are  here 
present.  I cordially  greet,  not  only  our  own  citizens,  but  particularly 
the  gentlemen  who  are  here  from  other  parts  of  the  Union.  The  city 
of  Boston,  like  many  other  large  municipalities  of  the  country, — in- 
deed, of  the  civilized  world, — has  recently  been  awakened  to  the  ne- 
cessity of  sanitary  reform,  not  only  in  regard  to  quarantine  matters, 
but  in  regard  to  hygiene  and  the  internal  health  of  the  city  proper. 
This  is  a subject,  gentlemen,  which  interests  not  one  city  alone,  but 
every  city,  North,  South,  East,  and  West,  and  all  parts  of  the  country 
are  represented  here.  The  fact  that  so  many  are  here,  representing  so 
many  different  municipalities  and  different  societies,  is  a sufficient  in- 
dication of  the  paramount  interest  and  importance  of  the  subject.  I 
will  not  trespass  upon  your  time,  or  upon  the  province  of  the  gentle- 
man whom  you  may  select  as  your  presiding  officer,  by  speaking  at  any 
length  upon  its  importance.  I will  only  say,  in  behalf  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee,  and  of  the  municipal  authorities,  that  we  shall  do 
everything  in  our  power  to  facilitate  the  transaction  of  your  business, 
and  to  make  your  stay  in  the  city  agreeable.  I will  also  state,  in  this 
connection,  that  the  Massachusetts  Charitable  Mechanics’  Association, 
which  has  just  completed  this  building,  has  generously  given  the  use 
of  this  Hall  to  the  Convention  ; and  we,  on  our  part,  will  give  you  not 
only  all  the  aid  possible  for  business  purposes,  but  shall  proffer  you  such 
hospitalities  as  will  give  expression  to  our  obligations  to  you  for  the 
honor  of  your  presence  in  our  city.  (Loud  Applause.) 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Henry  Gr.  Clark,  of  Boston,  it  was 

Voted,  That  those  members  of  the  Executive  Committee  who  were 
not  appointed  as  delegates  to  this  Convention,  be  invited  to  take  seats 
and  record  their  names  as  members  of  the  Convention. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Jewell,  of  Philadelphia, 

Voted,  That  those  members  of  committees  appointed  by  the  last 
Convention  to  report  on  certain  subjects,  who  were  not  elected  dele- 
gates to  this  Convention,  be  invited  to  take  seats  as  members.  . 

The  following  invitations  were  here  read : — 

Library  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History. 

11  Mason  St.,  Boston,  June  14,  1860. 

The  Council  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  would  re- 
spectfully invite  the  delegates  to  the  Sanitary  Convention  to  visit  their 


12 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


Booms,  at  No.  11  Mason  Street,  at  such  time  during  their  stay  in  Bos- 
ton as  may  be  convenient  to  them. 

The  portion  of  the  African  collection  of  Mr.  Du  Chaillu,  containing 
the  skins  and  skeletons  of  the  Gorilla  and  other  large  anthropoid  apes, 
has  recently  been  transferred  to  their  Cabinet.  The  Booms  are  open 
from  9 A.  M.,  to  6 p.  M.,  except  between  2 and  3 p.  m.  Bespect- 
fully,  S.  Kneeland,  Jr.,  Sec’y. 

To  the  Chairman  of  the  Sanitary  Convention. 


Office  of  the  Board  of  Directors  for  Public  Institutions. 

Boston , June  14,  1860. 

Sir  : In  conformity  with  a vote  of  the  Board  of  Directors  for  Pub- 
lic Institutions  of  the  City  of  Boston,  I hereby  tender  to  the  National 
Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention,  over  which  you  preside,  an  invi- 
tation to  visit  the  Institutions  at  Deer  Island,  in  Boston  Harbor,  to- 
morrow, at  such  hour  as  may  suit  the  convenience  of  the  Convention. 

I am  proud,  sir,  to  be  the  medium  through  which  the  above  is  com- 
municated, and  trust  that  it  may  be  convenient  and  agreeable  to  the 
Convention  to  accept  it.  I am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient 
servant.  Joseph  Smith,  President. 

To  the  President  of  the  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Conven- 
tion, Boston. 

The  invitations  were  accepted,  and  the  hour  of  two  o’clock  fixed  for 
the  visit  to  Deer  Island. 

The  following  invitation  was  also  received  and  accepted  : — 

Mayor’s  Office,  City  Hall. 

Boston , June  14,  1860. 

The  undersigned,  in  behalf  of  the  City  Council  of  Boston,  respect- 
fully invites  the  members  of  the  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary 
Convention,  now  in  session  in  this  city,  to  a Banquet  to  be  given  in 
honor  of  said  Convention  by  the  City  Council  of  Boston,  at  the 
Bevere  House,  on  Saturday  next,  at  5 o’clock,  p.  m. 

P.  W.  Lincoln,  Jr.,  Mayor. 

To  the  President  of  the  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Con- 
vention. 

Gen.  Wetmore,  of  New  York.  It  is  very  evident,  from  the  invi- 
tations which  have  been  extended  to  us,  and  from  the  programme 
presented  by  the  Executive  Committee,  that  we  shall  have  no  spare 
time  while  in  Boston,  — the  authorities  have  decided  that  for  us.  I 


National  Quarantine  Convention.  13 

would  suggest,  therefore,  that  if  any  gentleman  has  any  subject  to 
bring  forward,  he  should  do  it  now,  while  the  Committee  are  out,  and 
that  we  proceed  with  the  business  as  if  the  Convention  were  now 
organized,  — not  to  decide  upon  any  principle,  but  to  present  subjects 
upon  which  the  Convention  may  act  hereafter. 

Dr.  Stevens,  of  New  York,  announced  the  presence  of  Professor 
Reuben  D.  Muzzy,  of  Cincinnati,  and,  on  motion  of  Dr.  La  Roche, 
he  was  invited  to  a seat  on  the  platform. 

The  President.  The  several  Committees  appointed  at  the  pre- 
ceding session  of  the  Convention  have  very  commendably  performed 
their  duty,  with  one  or  two  exceptions.  Most  of  the  Committees  will 
be  found  to  have  reported  upon  the  subjects  committed  to  them. 
First,  I hold  in  my  hand  a report  upon  the  subject  of  the  Registration 
of  Births,  Marriages,  and  Deaths,  presented  by  Dr.  Snow,  of  Provi- 
dence. It  is  only  necessary  to  announce  the  origin  of  this  report,  to 
satisfy  the  Convention  that  it  is  eminently  practical  in  its  character. 
I have  also  to  present  — or  there  will  be  presented  to  the  proper  Com- 
mittee — a “ Report  upon  Legal  Restrictions  for  the  Control  of  the 
sale  of  Poisons  and  Dangerous  Drugs,”  prepared  by  Dr.  Guthrie,  of 
Tennessee.  The  Committee  on  External  Hygiene,  appointed  in  1859, 
presents  a very  able,  thorough,  and  voluminous  report,  of  forty-six 
pages,  prepared  by  Dr.  Bell,  Dr.  Harris,  and  Dr.  Jewell.  Further, 
there  is  a “ Report  on  Civic  Cleanliness  and  the  Economical  Dispo- 
sition of  the  Refuse  of  Cities,”  by  Lieut.  Yiele,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  ; another  able,  voluminous,  and  very  practical  report,  of 
forty-two  pages.  I have  also  to  announce  another  report  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Wet  Docks,  in  connection  with  Quarantines,  by  Dr.  Sterling 
of  New  York.  These  reports  have  been  printed,  prior  to  the  assem- 
bling of  the  Convention,  in  order  that  each  member  may  have  an 
opportunity  to  examine  them,  before  action  is  taken  upon  them.  The 
proceedings  of  the  Convention,  therefore,  promise  to  equal  in  interest 
and  utility,  and  I might  perhaps  also  say  in  magnitude,  the  volume 
issued  by  the  Convention  of  last  year. 

Gen.  Wetmore,  of  New  York. 

Mr.  President : As  no  one  else  seems  disposed  to  act  upon  the  sug- 
gestion just  made  by  me,  I will,  with  your  permission,  occupy  a few 
moments  while  the  Select  Committee  are  absent,  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
troducing a subject  to  be  more  fully  considered  by  the  Convention 
when  it  shall  have  been  duly  organized. 

This  Convention  is  here  in  its  fourth  session.  It  is  a body  tempo- 
rary in  its  organization,  and  therefore  indefinite,  to  some  extent  in  re- 
gard to  its  powers  and  duties.  The  question  has  been  raised  for  the 


14 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


consideration  of  the  members,  at  different  times,  whether  an  attempt 
should  not  be  made  to  give  it  a permanent  organization.  I listened, 
last  evening,  on  my  way  to  this  meeting,  to  a discussion  between  two 
eminent  members  of  this  body,  and  their  opinions  differed.  I confess 
I am  at  a loss  to  say  in  what  direction  my  own  voice  and  vote  would 
go  upon  this  question,  but  you  will  see,  Mr.  President,  and  the  Con- 
vention will  see,  that  it  is  one  of  importance.  A temporary  organiza- 
tion will  be  apt  to  languish  for  want  of  active  leaders,  and  unless  there 
are  great  facilities  for  the  management  of  business,  in  connection  with 
an  earnest  zeal  on  the  part  of  committees,  the  movement  may  possibly 
die  out.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  objected  to  a permanent  organiza- 
tion, that  unless  a new  impulse  can  be  infused  into  its  counsels,  from 
time  to  time,  and  fresh  influences  brought  into  active  service,  it  may 
fail  from  the  wearing  out  of  the  feeling  which  originated  the  organiza- 
tion. There  is  much  to  be  said  on  both  sides.  I do  not  mean  to  indi- 
cate any  opinion  on  my  own  part,  but  I desire  that  the  wisdom  of  the 
Convention  should  be  brought  to  bear  upon  the  question.  That  the 
action  of  this  body  has  done  great  good  already,  I,  as  a citizen  of  New 
York,  may  well  bear  my  testimony;  for  it  has  entirely  removed  the 
most  unjust,  oppressive,  and  burdensome  features  of  an  institution 
which  has  far  too  long  weighed  heavily  upon  the  energies  of  com- 
merce. I refer  to  the  declaration  by  this  body  at  its  last  session,  fol- 
lowed up  by  practical  action  in  other  quarters,  in  regard  to  the  question 
of  Quarantine.  If  any  person  had  asked  me  three  years  ago  if,  in  my 
judgment,  yellow  fever  was  contagious,  I should  most  certainly  have 
said  that  it  was.  I am  satisfied  now,  from  the  statements  then  made, 
and  from  the  opinions  expressed  by  competent  and  experienced  men  of 
science,  that  there  is  no  danger  of  a communication  of  the  disease 
from  one  person  ill  with  it  to  another. 

Through  the  establishment  of  this  great  principle  of  non-contagion, 
under  the  influence  of  this  Convention,  burdens  have  been  re- 
moved, and  restrictions  withdrawn  from  the  commerce  of  the  port  of 
New  York, — I think  I may  be  justified  in  saying,  from  the  commerce 
of  the  commercial  metropolis  of  this  country,  and  a relief  thereby  ob- 
tained, which  has  given  a new  impetus  to  that  great  element  which 
makes  us  a prosperous  nation,  — the  element  of  commerce,  — the  in- 
terchange of  commodities,  and  the  enlargement  of  intercourse  between 
the  different  nations  of  the  earth.  It  is  a thing  to  be  remembered, 
that  by  the  action  of  this  body,  a long  existing  system  of  onerous 
obstructions  has  been  removed,  simply  because  in  the  light  of  science 
it  was  found  to  be  unnecessary  and  injurious.  There  sits  in  this  body 
to-day,  the  man,  eminent  for  his  great  genius,  his  long  experience,  and 
the  power  of  mind  that  he  brings  to  bear  in  his  professional  labors, 
upon  whose  motion  this  reform  was  accomplished.  He  has  a right  to 
be  proud  that,  as  the  result  of  his  judgment,  sagacity,  and  experience, 
this  beneficent  change  has  been  perfected.  Sir,  the  quarantine  regu- 
lations established  two  hundred  years  ago  by  the  Italian  authorities,  as 
a protection  against  the  plague,  have  bound  the  energies  of  the  modern 
commercial  world  until  within  the  last  twelve  months.  Upon  the 
motion  of  Dr.  Stevens,  those  shackles  have  been  cast  off.  Commerce 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


15 


now  stands  free  and  independent  of  all  unnecessary  restrictions  ; and 
for  one,  I consider  the  action  of  this  Convention  in  regard  to  the  in- 
terests of  commerce  and  the  welfare  of  mankind,  as  only  second  to  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  in  Philadelphia,  nearly  a hundred  years 
ago.  (Applause.)  It  was  a declaration  of  independence  for  com- 
merce, against  unwise,  unnecessary,  and  unjust  restrictions. 

Sir,  we  must  not  undervalue  the  influence  which  commerce  holds 
upon  the  Christian  welfare  of  the  world  at  large.  Wherever  the  flag  of 
commerce  makes  its  way,  there  follows  the  banner  of  the  Cross.  Mis- 
sionaries tread  in  the  footsteps  of  the  pioneers  of  commerce,  from  one 
hemisphere  to  another ; and  throughout  the  world,  the  promoters  of 
commerce  have  been  enabled  to  prepare  the  way,  to  sustain  the  efforts, 
and  to  encourage  and  keep  alive  the  hopes  and  feelings  in  favor  of 
Christianity  among  the  heathen.  Sir,  it  is  to  the  credit  of  this  coun- 
try,— eminently  so,  to  my  mind. — 'that,  following  in  the  path  of  com- 
merce, three  great  empires  have  been  opened  to  the  Christian  church 
within  the  last  six  years.  Under  the  wise  and  prudent  conduct  of  the 
agent  of  the  American  government,  the  kingdom  of  Siam  has  been 
opened  to  the  commerce  of  the  nation  and  to  the  influences  and  the 
teachings  of*religion.  Under  the  same  enlightened  policy,  the  barriers 
that  so  long  existed  in  China  have  been  broken  down,  happily,  in  our 
case,  by  the  weapons  of  peace,  and  not  of  war. 

And,  sir,  we  have  the  evidence,  at  this  moment  before  us,  that  after 
two  hundred  years  of  effort  on  the  part  of  Christian  nations  to  enter 
Japan,  under  the  lead  of  American  commerce  and  under  the  influence 
of  American  institutions,  and  by  the  aid  of  American  skill  in  diplom- 
acy, that  mysterious  empire  has  been  opened  as  a new  field  for  the 
enterprises  of  commerce,  and  for  the  conquests  of  civilization.  Let  it 
be  remembered,  too,  to  our  credit  as  a people,  that  no  selfish  interests 
of  trade  were  allowed  to  stain  our  national  policy  in  Japan;  all  the 
nations  of  Europe  have  been  invited  to  enter  upon  the  pathway  of 
commerce  opened  by  us,  and  to  share  in  all  the  advantages  we  had  ob- 
tained. (Applause.) 

Our  Government  has  already  been  put  in  communication  with  the 
representatives  of  that  great  nation,  — a nation  supposed  to  comprise 
fifty  millions  of  souls, — a nation  which  has  been  known  to  commerce 
for  more  than  two  centuries,  but  which  has  steadily  excluded  all  foreign 
intercourse,  save  with  one  favored  people. 

Holland,  a country  greatly  to  be  respected  for  its  enterprise  and  its 
national  integrity,  and  which  cannot  justly  be  censured  for  its  deter- 
mination to  pursue  its  own  objects  in  its  own  peculiar  way,  had  posses- 
sion of  the  commerce  of  Japan  two  hundred  years  ago.  But  Holland 
never  invited  any  other  nation  to  take  part  in  that  commerce.  All  the 
influences  that  could  justly  be  brought  to  bear  by  Holland  upon  the 
councils  of  Japan,  were  used  to  discourage  and  defeat  competition. 

What,  let  me  ask,  has  been  the  course  of  the  American  govern- 
ment ? Within  two  months  after  it  had  secured  its  own  commercial 
treaty,  it  invited  other  nations  to  participate  in  the  achievement,  and 
to  share  in  its  benefits.  This  was  a policy  in  accordance  with  the  true 
spirit  of  a commercial  age,  and  the  act  itself  will  long  redound  to  the 


16 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


credit  of  the  American  functionary  in  Japan,  by  whom  it  was  per- 
formed. Our  country  now,  for  the  first  time,  has  taken  her  rightful 
position  among  the  leading  nations  of  the  earth  engaged  in  the  pro- 
motion of  commerce  and  Christianity  in  the  Eastern  world. 

Such  are  the  fruits  gathered  from  the  tree  planted  by  commerce.  It 
is  in  ministering  to  these  results,  by  promoting  measures  which  give 
safety  and  efficiency  to  that  branch  of  public  industry,  that  our  asso- 
ciation will  most  effectively  establish  and  maintain  its  power,  and  in- 
fluence, and  dignity. 

These,  Mr.  President,  are  some  of  the  reasons  why  I think  the  sug- 
gestion deserving  of  the  careful  consideration  of  the  Convention;  but 
I am  admonished  by  the  entrance  of  the  Select  Committee,  that  I must 
close  these  desultory  remarks. 

I now,  sir,  give  notice,  that,  at  the  proper  time,  I will  submit  a 
motion  to  consider  the  propriety  of  making  the  organization  of  this 
Convention  a permanent  one, — that  motion  to  be  referred  to  the  Busi- 
ness Committee,  when  appointed.  (Applause.) 

Ald.  Wightman.  In  behalf  of  the  Committee  on  Nominations,  I 
will  read  the  following  Report : — 

The  Committee  who  were  appointed  to  nominate  officers  for  the  per- 
manent organization  of  the  Convention,  respectfully  and  unanimously 
present  the  following  names  for  the  several  offices  : — 


President, 

DR.  JACOB  BIGELOW,  of  Boston. 
Vice  - Presidents. 


Hon.  R.  D.  Arnold,  M.D.  Georgi 
A.  II.  Stevens,  M.  1).,  N.  Y. ; 
H.  G.  Clark,  M.  D.,  Mass.; 
John  E.  Lamb,  M.  D.,  Penn.; 
Judson  Gilman,  M.  D.,  Md.; 
Hon.  Moses  Bigelow,  N.  J.; 


; Hon.  J.  C.  Knight,  R.  I. ; 
Robert  Thompson,  M.  D.,  0.; 

C.  B.  Guthrie,  M.D.,  Tenn. ; 
Thos.  Stewardson,  M.  D.,  Penn; 
Hon.  Thos.  Aspinwall,  Mass.; 

J.  W.  Houck,  M.  D.,  Md. 


Secretaries, 

Calvin  Ellis,  M.  D.,  Boston;  Wm.  Taylor,  M.  D.,  Newark; 

J.  B.  Jones,  M.D.  Brooklyn,  N.Y ; Aid.  David  C.  Dodd,  Jr.,  Newark. 

The  Report  was  adopted,  and  Dr.  Jewell  and  Gen.  Wetmore  were 
requested  to  wait  upon  the  President  elect,  and  conduct  him  to  the 
Chair. 

When  Dr.  Bigelow  reached  the  platform,  the  President  pro  tem., 
addressing  him,  said  : — 

It  affords  me  great  satisfaction  to  find  myself  succeeded  by  one  so 
eminently  deserving  of  the  honor  conferred  upon  him.  You  have 
long  been  known  as  an  advocate  of  sanitary  reform,  and  to  no  better 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


17 


hands  could  the  duties  of  this  office  be  intrusted  than  to  yours.  You 
have  work  to  do,  sir,  — much  has  been  presented  already,  — and  I 
have  no  doubt  that  you  will  do  it  with  honor  to  yourself,  and  that  the 
Convention  will  do  itself  honor  in  deciding  upon  the  questions  brought 
before  it.  I have  the  honor  of  inducting  you  to  office. 

Dr.  Bigelow  then  addressed  the  Convention  as  follows : — 

Gentlemen  of  the  Convention  : I accept,  with  diffidence, 
and  even  with  reluctance,  the  oppressive  honor  with  which  you 
have  clothed  me,  in  calling  me  to  preside  over  your  deliberations ; 
and  I am  disinclined,  even  if  I were  qualified,  to  descant  upon  the 
important  duties  and  deep  responsibilities  which  rest  upon  us  all,  as 
members  of  this  Convention.  These  duties  and  these  responsibilities 
are  well  known.  They  have  been  described  and  enforced  many  times, 
not  only  by  eloquent  gentlemen  who  have  vacated  the  place  I now 
fill,  but  by  many  gifted  and  distinguished  individuals  among  the 
members  of  this  Convention. 

The  fourth  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention  comes  to- 
gether under  favorable  auspices,  and  with  the  prestige  of  an  established 
reputation.  The  published  labors  of  the  annual  • meetings  already 
passed  are  distinguished,  in  a high  degree,  by  intelligence,  im- 
partiality, and  untiring  zeal,  on  the  part  of  those  who  participated 
in  them.  The  mass  of  documents  emanating  last  year  from  the  Con- 
vention which  sat  in  New  York,  is  fraught  with  evidence  of  the  high- 
est reaches  of  intellect  and  erudition.  Seldom  has  any  professional 
body,  nay,  any  deliberative  assembly  in  this  country,  charged  even  with 
the  control  of  its  greatest  interests,  brought  into  the  field  of  dis- 
cussion such  an  array  of  eloquent  words,  of  lucid  exposition,  of  well- 
ordered  and  appropriate  diction,  and  of  inexhaustible  learning,  as  that 
which  last  year  marked  the  assault  and  defence  of  the  doctrine  of  the 
contagiousness  of  yellow  fever. 

And  when  the  assembled  professional  wisdom  of  the  country,  backed 
by  a tribunal  of  impartial  and  intelligent  laymen,  decided  the  point 
of  the  non-contagion  of  the  disease,  by  a vote  so  overwhelming  as  to 
be  all  but  unanimous,  we  knew  not  which  most  to  admire,  the  clear- 
sighted intelligence  which  led  to  this  result,  or  the  spirit  and  splendor 
of  the  indomitable  but  unavailing  defence. 

Who  can  doubt  the  auspicious  influence  of  these  Conventions,  who 
shall  have  read  or  listened  to  the  fervent  appeals  then  made  by  earn 
est  and  gifted  men,  the  startling  disclosures  of  misery  and  death 
brought  on  by  remediable  causes,  until  then  neglected  or  ignored,  and 
finally,  the  happy  and  harmonious  adoption  of  the  excellent  sanitary 
code  matured  in  this  city,  and  amplified  and  sustained  by  the  co-operat- 
ing agency  of  many  of  the  most  distinguished  physicians  in  all  quar- 
ters of  the  Union  ? 

It  is  well  that,  in  this  country,  where  government  is  not  despotic, 
and  where  public  opinion  is  paramount,  the  voice  of  an  enlightened 
community  on  subjects  of  common  welfare  should  be  heard  through 
their  appropriate  and  delegated  representatives.  Such  is  the  working 
of  our  social  system,  and  such  the  source  of  the  great  progress  that 
3 


18 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


has  been  made  in  this  country  in  various  fields  of  morals,  of  science, 
and  of  political  economy.  And  here  I would  pause  to  pay  a fitting 
tribute  to  the  distinguished  individual  whose  early  foresight  and  un- 
faltering devotion,  in  the  inception  and  subsequent  advancement  of 
these  conventional  assemblies,  have  brought  forth  the  maturing  fruits 
which  we  this  day  have  the  happiness  to  witness.  (Applause.) 

Gentlemen,  I thank  you  that  you  have  thought  me  worthy  to  assist 
m your  deliberations.  I know  that  you  will  approach  the  duties  of 
your  session  with  alacrity,  with  earnestness,  and  with  a zeal  which  is 
according  to  knowledge.  Confidently,  then,  do  I commit  to  your  hands 
the  beneficent  work  of  spreading  over  this  vast  country  the  protecting 
shield  of  your  wisdom  and  experience. 

Prayer  was  then  offered  by  Rt.  Rev.  Manton  Eastburn,  Episcopal 
Bishop  of  Massachusetts. 

Dr.  Griscom  offered  the  following  resolution  : — 

Resolved , That  a Standing  Committee  of  thirteen  be  appointed  by 
the  Chair  to  prepare  and  arrange  the  business  for  the  Convention. 

The  resolution  was  adopted. 

On  motion  of  Alderman  Wightman,  the  several  Special  Commit- 
tees appointed  at  the  last  Convention  were  called  on  for  their  reports. 

The  Committee  on  “Food, — its  qualities  and  conditions  in  cities 
and  large  towns,”  &c.,  of  which  Dr.  Harris,  of  New  York,  is  Chair- 
man, was  called  upon,  when  Dr.  Griscom  said : — 

I am  the  bearer  of  a message  from  Dr.  Harris,  who  is  detained  at 
home  by  illness.  Considerable  work  has  been  done  towards  the  prep- 
aration of  a report  on  that  subject,  but  it  has  been  impossible  to  com- 
plete it.  Dr.  Jeffries  is  upon  the  Committee,  and  he  is  anxious  that 
the  work  should  be  completed;  but  as  it  is  a work  of  vast  importance 
to  the  welfare  of  the  human  race,  they  have  requested  that  further 
time  should  be  allowed  them  to  complete  their  report.  The  Committee 
are  willing  that  it  should  be  laid  over  until  next  year.  In  the  mean 
time,  Dr.  Harris  has  prepared  a series  of  questions,  to  be  sent  broad- 
cast over  the  country,  to  ascertain  the  various  aspects  in  which  this 
subject  may  be  viewed;  and  the  results  of  these  inquiries,  when  col- 
lected together,  will  form  a large  mass  of  information  which  will  be  ex- 
ceedingly valuable  as  the  basis  for  action  and  for  future  reference.  I 
move  that  the  Committee  be  continued  another  year. 

The  motion  of  Dr.  Griscom  was  carried. 

The  Committee  on  “ Civic  Cleanliness,  and  the  Economical  Dispo- 
sition of  the  Refuse  of  Cities,”  submitted  their  report,  in  print.  On 
motion  of  Dr.  Griscom,  the  report  was  laid  upon  the  table  until  the 
arrival  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  Lieut.  E.  L.  Viele. 

The  Committee  on  “External  Hygiene,”  and  on  the  “ Utility  of 
Wet  Docks  in  connection  with  Quarantines,”  also  submitted  their  re- 
ports in  print.  A report  on  the  “ Registration  of  Births,  Marriages, 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


19 


and  Deaths,”  prepared  by  Dr.  Snow,  of  Providence,  to  whom  the  sub- 
ject was  specially  assigned  by  the  Committee  on  External  Hygiene,  was 
likewise  presented,  in  pamphlet  form. 

The  “ Committee  on  Architecture,  on  Plans  for  Tenement  Houses,” 
on  the  “ Causes  and  Control  of  Miasmata,”  and  on  “ Dispensaries,” 
were  called  upon,  but  there  was  no  response. 

Dr.  Guthrie  submitted  a report,  in  print,  upon  “ Legal  Restrictions 
for  the  control  of  the  sale  of  Poisons  and  Poisonous  Drugs.”  Dr.  G., 
on  presenting  his  report,  remarked  : — 

I would  say,  in  regard  to  this  report,  that  it  expresses  the  views 
of  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee.  Neither  of  the  gentlemen  on 
that  Committee  with  myself,  responded,  and  I have  made  the  report 
simply  upon  such  examination  as  I have  been  able  to  give  it.  The  re- 
port is  in  the  hands  of  the  Convention  for  their  action. 

On  motion,  the  Report  was  received,  and  the  Chairman  requested 
to  read  it. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  I wish  to  state  to  the  Convention,  before  reading 
this  Report,  that  previous  to  making  an  effort  at  drawing  it  up,  I drew 
up  a form  of  inquiry  addressed  to  the  Governors  of  the  different 
States,  asking  for  information  upon  the  subject  of  such  laws  as  existed 
in  their  several  States  in  regard  to  this  matter.  In  accordance  with 
an  agreement  between  Dr.  Van  Bibber*  of  Baltimore,  and  myself,  the 
States  east  of  the  Mississippi  River  and  south  of  Maryland  were  left 
to  be  reported  upon  by  him.  By  a letter  received  from  Dr.  V an  Bib- 
ber, a few  days  since,  I learned  that  after  drawing  up  this  form  of  in- 
quiry, and  having  the  letters  copied,  he  laid  them  carefully  away  in  his 
desk,  where  they  remained  until  he  received  my  letter  inquiring  why 
I got  no  report  from  him.  The  Convention  will  understand,  therefore, 
why  there  is  no  reference  in  the  Report  to  the  specific  laws  of  the 
States  in  that  section  of  the  Union. 

I had  Reports  from  some  of  the  Northern  States,  as  from  the 
Governors  of  Ohio  and  of  Vermont ; and  from  other  States,  I had  the 
return,  that  they  were  not  aware  that  any  law  upon  the  subject  of  poi- 
sons existed  in  those  States;  and  even  in  the  great  State  of  New 
York,  where  there  exists  a state  of  things  requiring  legislation  upon 
this  subject  more  than  any  State  in  the  Union,  the  Governor  replied, 
through  his  private  secretary,  that  he  was  not  aware  that  any  law  ex- 
isted upon  the  subject. 

I mention  these  facts  to  show  that  this  subject  has  not  engaged  the 
attention  of  lawmakers  sufficiently  to  enable  them  to  answer  with  cor- 
rectness an  inquiry  upon  this  matter. 

Dr.  Guthrie  then  proceeded  to  read  his  Report,  for  which,  see  Ap- 
pendix. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  As  to  this  list  of  poisons  attached  to  the  Report,  I 
may  say,  to  save  inquiry,  that  I submitted  a much  larger  list  to  the 
various  apothecaries  in  New  York  city,  who  have  more  to  do  with  this 


20 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


matter  than  anybody  else.  In  the  list  I submitted,  were  chloroform, 
verdigris,  and  two  or  three  other  articles.  The  statement  with  regard 
to  chloroform,  from  one  apothecary,  was,  that  he  considered  it  dan- 
gerous, and  never  sold  it  without  record.  Almost  all  the  other  gentle- 
men to  whom  I submitted  the  list,  stated  that  chloroform  was  seldom 
sold  but  in  small  quantities,  except  in  combination,  as  a liniment,  and 
that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  keep  a record  of  the  sale  of  such  lini- 
ments. And  the  ease  with  which  a pound  or  more  of  that  could  be 
procured  at  any  wholesale  establishment,  would  almost  preclude  the 
possibility  of  reaching  chloroform,  except  in  the  case  of  a small  dose. 

As  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  I beg  that  the  Convention  will 
give  to  this  Report  the  consideration  it  really  deserves.  I have  no  care 
to  add  to  or  strike  out  from  the  list  of  poisons.  I have  sought  only  to 
give  to  the  Association,  to  go  before  the  world,  that  which  would  be 
effective  for  the  purpose  designed. 

Dr.  Jewell,  of  Philadelphia,  moved  that  the  Report  be  adopted, 
and  ordered  for  publication. 

Dr.  GrRiscoM.  Do  I understand,  sir,  that  if  that  resolution  is  passed, 
this  Convention  adopts  this  Report  and  its  sentiments?  If  so,  sir,  I 
have  a word  to  say  in  relation  to  it. 

Dr.  Stevens.  I,  also,  think  we  should  not  hastily  adopt  the  Report 
and  its  recommendations,  without  due  reflection  ; and  it  seems  to  me 
that  in  the  present  state  of  the  discussion,  it  had  better  lie  over  for  a 
little  more  consideration.  We  should  approach  this  subject,  I think, 
with  further  consideration,  and  I move  to  lay  it  upon  the  table. 

Dr.  Guthrie,  of  Tennessee.  I think  the  remarks  of  the  gentleman 
quite  pertinent ; I do  not  see  why  the  Convention  need  come  to  a de- 
cision just  now.  I am  perfectly  content  with  the  motion  to  lay  the 
subject  upon  the  table,  and  think  that  the  better  course  for  us  to  take. 

But  Dr.  Grriscom  asks  whether  the  adoption  and  printing  of  this  Re- 
port commits  the  Convention  to  its  recommendations.  If  we  adopt  the 
precedent  of  the  last  Convention,  it  most  certainly  does.  And  it  is 
well  for  the  Convention  not  to  adopt  or  print  any  report  to  which  they 
cannot  give  their  assent. 

Dr.  Jewell  withdrew  his  motion. 

The  motion  to  lay  upon  the  table  was  unanimously  adopted. 

Dr.  Stevens,  of  New  York,  formally  presented  the  Report  of  the 
Committee  on  the  “ Utility  of  Wet  Docks. ” He  said:  — 

Dr.  Sterling,  the  proposer  of  a report  on  the  Utility  of  Wet 
Docks,  received  the  appointment  of  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
that  subject.  Dr.  McDuflie  and  myself  were  appointed  as  his  col- 
leagues. Dr.  Sterling  has  drawn  up  a very  able  Report,  derived  from 
his  own  experience  ; and  he  has  some  views  worthy  of  attentive  consid- 
eration. But  I did  not  sign  the  Report  myself ; I withheld  my  name 
because,  although  I was  willing  that  he  should  sign  it,  as  Chairman, 
and  present  it  for  consideration,  there  were  points  in  it  which  I was 
not  prepared  to  recommend  to  the  Convention.  In  the  course  of  a day 
or  two,  the  gentlemen  of  the  Convention  will  have  time  to  read  and 


National  Quarantine  Convention.  21 

consider  it ; and  I present  this  Report,  and  move  that  it  be  laid  upon 
the  table. 

The  Report  was  laid  upon  the  table. 

Dr.  Stevens,  of  New  York.  I beg  leave  to  occupy  the  time  of  the 
Convention  for  a few  moments.  Among  the  practical  men  in  this  as- 
sembly,— physicians  of  experience, — if  I do  not  much  mistake,  a 
large  number  may  be  found  who,  I think,  upon  the  question  being  put, 
if  they  have  met  with  many  cases  of  disease,  often  of  a fatal  character, 
arising  in  a situation  otherwise  healthy,  and  traceable  to  the  decay  of 
vegetable  substances  in  the  cellars,  will  respond  that  there  is  a large 
amount  of  experience  showing  the  frequency  and  fatality  of  diseases 
arising  from  that  source.  Without  being  fully  prepared  to  suggest  a 
remedy,  I have  drawn  up  a resolution  inviting  inquiry  upon  that  sub- 
ject, to  see  if  it  be  one  upon  which  this  Convention  can  safely  recom- 
mend legislation  tending  to  prevent  such  nuisances.  What  occurs  to 
me  is,  that  if  a law  should  be  passed,  by  which  it  might  be  prohibited 
to  any  man  to  build  a dwelling-house  in  which  there  shall  not  be  a flue 
connecting  with  the  cellar,  we  should  at  once  strike  at  the  root  of  a 
vast  and  prolific  source  of  malady.  I will  not  go  into  particulars. 
But  recently,  — within  a few  years,  — one  of  my  friends  went  to  Fair- 
field,  in  the  pursuit  of  health,  to  spend  the  summer.  Six  of  his  fam- 
ily were  taken  sick,  one  after  another,  and  in  each  case  it  was  the  re- 
sult of  the  decay  of  vegetable  substances  in  the  cellar  of  the  house. 
I have  talked  with  many  country  physicians,  and  they  have  informed 
me  of  cases  arising  from  this  source,  of  low  typhus  fever,  often  fatal, 
and  when  not  fatal,  still  very  severe. 

I present  these  remarks  with  great  deference  to  the  experience 
of  other  gentlemen.  I beg  leave  to  present  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved , That  a Committee  of  be  appointed  to  consider  the  ex- 
pediency of  obtaining  municipal  aid  to  prevent  the  building  of  any 
dwelling-house  without  a flue  or  some  air-duct  leading  from  the  cellar 
to  the  top  of  the  house. 

I ask  the  suggestions  of  others.  I see  my  friend,  Dr.  Childs,  a gen- 
tleman of  great  experience  and  learning;  and  I would  ask  for  some 
remarks  from  him. 

Dr.  Childs.  I did  not  expect,  sir,  that  I should  be  called  upon  to 
say  a word  in  this  assembly.  In  conversation  with  my  friend,  Dr. 
Stevens,  yesterday,  I mentioned  to  him  one  or  two  cases  which  oc- 
curred under  my  observation,  which  he  thought  interesting  and  im- 
portant, and  which  he  said  he  would  be  glad  to  have  me  state  to  this 
meeting.  All  I shall  do,  sir,  will  be  to  state  those  particular  cases 
which  came  under  my  own  observation. 

One  was  that  of  a family  consisting  of  father,  mother,  and  six  chil- 
dren, and  a hired  person,  living  in  an  elevated,  healthy  part  of  the 
town  of  Pittsfield.  The  man  and  his  wife  were  suddenly  taken  with 
a most  malignant  fever.  I was  called  very  early.  I perceived  that 
the  symptoms  were  of  a fatal  tendency,  and  was  totally  at  a loss  to  ac- 
count for  the  origin  of  the  fever.  No  sickness  had  prevailed  in  that 
region,  which  was  a healthy  part  of  the  town.  But  I perceived  that 


22 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


the  disease  was  one  of  the  most  malignant  character,  — so  much  so, 
that  it  was  very  obvious,  within  twelve  hours  after  I saw  the  first  two 
taken  — the  man  and  his  wife — that  they  would  die.  And  nurses 
and  watchers  who  were  exposed,  — every  one  that  spent  a few  hours 
in  the  house,  would  be  attacked  by  the  disease.  I immediately  had 
the  house  cleared  out.  I was  satisfied  that  there  must  be  something 
about  the  house,  in  the  cellar  or  somewhere,  that  gave  rise  to  this 
poisonous  effluvia,  producing  such  disease  as  was  manifest  in  the  fam- 
ily. All  the  members  of  the  family  were  attacked,  and,  moving  them 
from  this  infected  house,  they  all  recovered,  except  the  two  heads  of 
the  family.  I immediately  began  to  inquire  into  the  cause,  so  far  as  I 
could,  and  found,  beyond  all  question,  that  the  disease  arose  from  the 
decomposition  of  a large  quantity  of  cabbages,  potatoes,  and  other 
vegetables,  in  a damp,  wet  cellar.  This  was  in  the  spring  of  the  year, 
when  there  was  considerable  heat.  All  that  were  removed,  recovered 
very  rapidly.  The  disease  did  not  extend.  It  did  not  go  into  other 
families ; it  seemed  to  be  confined  to  that  house.  I had  the  house 
evacuated  entirely,  — it  was  not  occupied  for  a year,  and  thorough 
means  were  taken  to  purify  it  from  this  infection. 

The  other  instance  was  of  very  much  the  same  character.  There 
were  but  four  or  five  in  the  family.  It  commenced  in  the  same  way, — 
a malignant  fever.  Upon  inquiry,  I found  there  was  the  same  con- 
dition of  things  in  the  cellar,  — a large  quantity  of  vegetables  in  a 
state  of  decomposition,  giving  out  an  exhalation  which,  I had  no 
doubt  whatever,  gave  rise  to  the  disease  which  prevailed  in  those  two 
families.  I know  of  no  other  similar  cases  in  my  practice  and  obser- 
vation, which,  to  be  sure,  has  been  pretty  long,  but  with  no  pretence 
to  careful  and  accurate  observation;  — but  we  do  find,  very  often,  that 
there  are,  in  our  habitations,  local  causes  which  give  rise  to  epidemic, 
malignant  disease,  which  frequently  proves  fatal.  I am  extremely 
gratified  in  the  fact  — upon  which  I suppose  we  may  now  rely  — as 
respects  many  diseases  that  have  heretofore  been  considered  as  conta- 
gious— for  instance,  yellow  fever  — and  I think  it  one  of  the  great- 
est advances  in  medical  science  that  has  occurred  for  many  years,  that 
we  are  enabled  to  say,  and  with  confidence,  that  they  are  not  conta- 
gious,— revolutionizing,  of  course,  the  quarantine  regulations,  and  all 
the  regulations  that  we  should  adopt  wherever  the  disease  prevails. 

I have  nothing  of  importance  to  say,  and  ought  not  to  occupy  the 
time  of  the  Convention,  except  as  those  cases  which  have  occurred 
under  my  own  observation  may  go  to  confirm  the  views  which  others 
may  present. 

Dr.  Thompson,  of  Ohio.  I rejoice,  Mr.  President,  that  this  sub- 
ject has  been  proposed.  I hear,  occasionally,  from  year  to  year,  of 
certain  forms  of  disease  occurring  from  the  presence  of  putrefied  vege- 
table substances  in  cellars.  I had  two  cases  of  that  character  of  dis- 
ease, presented  two  months  ago,  caused  by  noxious  exhalations  from  the 
cellar  of  a house  in  which  some  five  persons  became  sick.  After  the 
cleansing  of  the  basement  and  cellar,  no  new  cases  occurred. 

In  connection  with  this  sanitary  movement,  I may  be  permitted  to 
mention  other  causes  of  disease,  — apple-butter,  boiled  cider,  et  cetera. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


23 


I had  the  honor  of  being  physician  to  a deaf  and  dumb  institution 
for  twenty  years.  One  year,  great  quantities  of  apple-butter  were 
used,  and  there  occurred  in  the  institution  a curious  kind  of  disease, 
of  which,  I confess,  I at  first  knew  nothing.  It  was  the  year  in  which 
the  potato  disease  was  first  spoken  of.  I had  the  cellar,  and  every- 
thing about  the  institution,  examined,  and  could  find  nothing ; and  at 
length  it  occurred  to  me  to  inquire,  specifically  and  in  detail,  what  they 
had  eaten.  Among  other  things,  I found  they  served  up  at  dinner, 
every  day,  pastry  made  of  apple-butter,  apple-butter  pie,  — and  that 
illuminated  my  mind  as  to  the  probable  cause  of  the  disease.  It  made 
my  mind  revert  to  a former  well-known  case  of  apple-butter  poison, 
and  also  to  a case  of  poison  by  boiled  cider,  in  which  a German  who 
drank  some  of  it,  and  said  it  was  very  good,  died  before  he  left  the 
tavern. 

Dr.  Guthrie,  of  Tennessee.  Mr.  President,  I am  reluctant  to  in- 
terrupt the  gentleman,  but  I rise  to  a point  of  order.  If  we  would 
accomplish  anything,  practically,  we  must  adhere  to  the  business 
strictly  before  the  Convention. 

Dr.  Stevens  moved  the  reference  of  his  resolution  to  the  Business 
Committee. 

Dr.  Griscom.  Mr.  President : Upon  this  resolution,  allow  me  to 
say  a word,  which,  I think,  will  settle  the  question  definitely.  There 
can  be  no  doubt  that  the  premises  upon  which  Dr.  Stevens  bases  that 
resolution  are  eminently  correct.  1 can  add  my  own  testimony,  as  re- 
gards the  city  of  New  York,  where  much  disease  is  occasioned  by 
causes  existing  in  the  cellars  of  some  of  our  most  superb  brown  stone 
fronts.  But,  sir,  in  my  opinion,  this  Convention  has  already  settled 
that  question,  and  there  is  no  necessity  of  reaffirming  what  it  has 
already  done.  In  the  code  of  sanitary  law,  presented  by  Dr.  Clark,  last 
year,  and  printed  in  the  Transactions,  the  whole  thing  is  definitely  set- 
tled, under  the  head  of  “ Cellars.”  It  recommends  the  prohibition  of 
cellars  as  dwellings,  not  having  “ a fire-place  with  a proper  chimney, 
or  other  ventilating  flue.” 

Dr.  Stevens  withdrew  his  resolution. 

Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  of  Boston.  Mr.  President:  The  Beport  on 
External  Hygiene  is  now  ready;  and  I move  that  it  be  called  up. 

I believe  that  some  explanation  is  required,  as  to  the  members  of  the 
Committee.  Dr.  Nichols,  of  New  Jersey,  and  Dr.  Beid,  of  Wisconsin, 
were  members  appointed  at  the  last  Convention.  Owing  to  a press  of 
business,  Dr.  Nichols  was  unable  to  serve  on  the  Committee,  and  there- 
fore, by  virtue  of  the  resolution  subsequently  passed,  the  assistance  of 
Dr.  Jewell  was  obtained,  and  he  was  appointed  upon  the  Committee  in 
place  of  Dr.  Nichols.  Dr.  Beid’s  name  is  not  signed  to  the  Beport, 
for  the  reason  that  he  was  not  able  to  co-operate  with  the  Committee, 
on  account  of  affliction,  and  other  causes.  But  I lay  before  the  Con- 
vention a letter  from  Dr.  Beid,  entitled,  “ A Brief  Summary  on  the 
importance  of  establishing  an  International  System  of  Quarantine,” 
and  request  that  it  be  placed  upon  the  minutes,  or  acted  upon,  as  the 
Business  Committee  may  direct. 


24 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


Dr.  Jewell,  of  Philadelphia.  I rise  to  an  inquiry.  It  is  my  un- 
derstanding that  the  printing  of  these  Reports  should  be  for  the  facil- 
itating of  the  business  of  the  Convention,  and  that  the  printed  Re- 
ports should  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  delegates,  that  they  may 
have  an  opportunity  to  look  them  over,  and  come,  upon  the  following 
day,  prepared  to  act  upon  them.  It  seems  to  me,  sir,  that  it  would 
save  a great  deal  of  time  in  the  reading  of  forty-six  pages  of  reading 
matter,  if  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  will  be  willing  to  suspend 
the  reading  of  the  Report,  and  if  the  printed  Report  lie  over  till  to- 
morrow, when  it  can  come  up  for  action.  Reports  in  manuscript  will, 
of  course,  have  to  be  read. 

Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson.  I was  about  to  ask  that  the  reading  of  the 
Report  be  dispensed  with  ; and  I would  move  that  the  Report  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Business  Committee  to  be  appointed  by  the  Chair,  to  be 
called  up  in  its  regular  order. 

The  motion  was  adopted. 

Dr.  Jewell.  At  the  commencement  of  this  session,  a resolution 
was  offered,  that  the  order  of  business  as  adopted  in  1857  be  the 
order  of  business  of  this  Convention.  I would  take  the  opportunity 
to  say  that  the  order  of  business  of  that  Convention  was  according  to 
Metthias’s  Manual.  We  have  received  no  Report.  The  reading  of 
the  Report  is  its  reception  ; it  is  then  referred  to  the  Business  Com- 
mittee, and  laid  upon  the  table. 

Voted , to  receive  the  Report,  and  lay  it  upon  the  table. 

On  motion,  the  accompanying  letter  of  Dr.  Reid  was  laid  upon  the 
table,  to  be  called  up  w.ith  the  Report. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Registration  was  received,  and 
laid  upon  the  table. 

Adjourned  to  4 o’clock,  p.  m. 

Afternoon  Session.  The  Convention  was  called  to  order  by  the 
President,  at  4J  o’clock. 

The  records  of  the  morning  session  were  read  by  the  Secretary,  and 
approved. 

An  invitation  from  Gideon  Haynes,  Warden  of  the  State  Prison,  re- 
questing the  members  of  the  Convention  to  visit  that  Institution,  was 
received,  read,  and  accepted. 

The  President  then  announced  the  Business  Committee,  as  follows : 

Dr.  John  H.  Griscom,  of  N.  Y. ; Dr.  John  M.  Moriarty,  of  Mass.; 
Dr.  Wilson  Jewell,  of  Penn.;  Dr.  Judson  Gilman,  of  Md.;  Dr.  John 
Jeffries,  of  Mass.;  Dr.  Edward  Mead,  of  Ohio;  Dr.  E.  M.  Snow,  of 
R.  I.;  Joseph  M.  Wightman,  of  Mass.;  Dr  C.  B.  Guthrie,  of  Tenn. ; 
Dr.  L.  A.  Sayre,  of  N.  Y. ; Dr.  John  E.  Lamb,  of  Penn.;  Dr.  Lewis 
W.  Oakley,  of  N.  J.;  Prosper  M.  Wetmore,  of  N.  Y. 

On  motion  of  Mayor  Lincoln,  the  several  Reports  of  Committees, 
already  presented,  were  taken  from  the  table,  and  referred  to  the  Busi- 
ness Committee. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


25 


Dr.  Jewell.  I would  suggest,  that  in  calling  for  the  Reports  of 
Committees,  we  neglected  the  Committee  on  “Vaccination,”  whose 
Report  was  postponed  at  the  last  session,  and  further  time  granted  to 
the  Committee. 

Dr.  Clark,  of  Boston.  I distinctly  recollect  seeing  it  stated  in  the 
printed  proceedings  of  last  year  that  the  Committee  on  Vaccination 
was  continued.  I have  in  my  hands  the  printed  minutes  of  that  Con- 
vention, and  will  read  a paragraph  on  page  37  : — 

“A.  N.  Bell,  M. D.,  moved  that  Dr.  Arnold  be  continued  in 
charge  of  the  subject  of  vaccination,  as  preventive  of  variola,  and 
the  value  of  revaccination,  with  a view  to  the  enactment  of  laws  for 
the  enforcement  of  general  vaccination  and  revaccination.” 

Although  no  record  is  made  of  the  fact,  it  is  presumed  that  this 
motion  prevailed. 

Dr.  Arnold,  of  Georgia.  All  I can  say  is,  that  this  is  the  first  in- 
formation I have  had  upon  the  subject.  I have  had  no  opportunity  to 
see  the  printed  proceedings.  It  would  have  required  but  very  little 
time  to  make  a report.  I could  have  made  one  very  easily,  founded 
on  positive  belief,  and  drawn  from  positive  information.  All  I can 
say  is,  that  so  far  as  my  experience  of  thirty  years  in  the  profession 
goes,  and  having  had  considerable  experience  as  a city  officer  in  Sa- 
vannah, smallpox  is  almost  the  only  disease  we  quarantine.  Nearly 
all  the  other  diseases  that  excite  so  many  fears  in  the  old  ladies  that 
wear  breeches,  do  not  disturb  us.  We  do  believe  that  smallpox  is 
contagious,  and  that  vaccination  is  a protection  against  it.  I could, 
in  a very  few  pages,  have  given  to  the  Convention  my  experience 
upon  this  matter,  which  is  positive  in  its  character.  I am  of  the 
opinion  that  we  all  ought  to  have  as  much  confidence  in  vaccination 
as  did  the  immortal  Jenner,  who  promulgated  it.  (Applause.) 

Dr.  Jackson  moved  that  Dr.  Arnold’s  Report  be  accepted. 

The  President.  It  proves  to  be  very  acceptable. 

The  motion  of  Dr.  Jackson  was  adopted. 

Hon.  Moses  Kimball,  of  Boston.  There  is  a subject  of  vast  im- 
portance to  the  people  of  this  State,  which  it  seems  to  me  may  be 
very  properly  considered  by  this  Convention,  if  there  is  time.  I allude 
to  the  existing  cattle  disease,  about  which  so  little  seems  to  be  known, 
and  upon  which  only  such  vague  opinions  are  arrived  at  by  medical 
men.  Without  detaining  the  Convention  by  discussing  the  subject,  I 
will  submit  a resolution,  and  ask  that  it  be  referred  to  the  Business 
Committee,  leaving  it  to  them  to  decide  whether  the  matter  is  of  suffi- 
cient importance  to  call  for  action  by  this  body.  Before  doing  so, 
however,  I will  state  that  the  entire  testimony  presented  to  the  Legis- 
lature, as  taken  down  by  a short-hand  writer,  is  now  about  to  be  pub- 
lished, and  will  be  furnished  to  each  member  of  the  Convention. 
That  Report,  together  with  the  Report  of  His  Excellency  the  Gover- 
nor, contains  all  the  information  which  the  Legislature  has  received  ; 
and  from  that,  it  will  be  for  you  medical  gentlemen  to  say  whether 
the  disease  is  infectious,  — whether  it  can  be  stayed  by  vaccination, 


26 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


and  whether  it  is  possible  to  cure  it  at  all.  I propose  to  read  a pre- 
amble and  resolution : — 

Whereas , In  view  of  the  panic  existing  in  this  and  other  States,  in 
regard  to  the  disease  among  cattle,  known  as  “ Pleuro-Pneumonia,” 
and  the  uncertainty  as  to  whether  said  disease  is  contagious  or  not,  and 
also  as  to  the  best  mode  of  treatment,  or  of  possible  cure,  — there- 
fore, 

Resolved , That  a Committee  be  appointed  to  take  this  whole  subject 
into  consideration. 

I move  that  the  resolution  be  referred  to  the  Business  Committee. 

After  some  discussion  in  regard  to  the  form  of  the  resolution,  and 
the  disposition  proper  to  be  made  of  it,  the  motion  of  Mr.  Kimball 
was  adopted,  and  the  resolutions  went  to  the  Business  Committee. 

Dr.  Ordronaux,  of  New  York.  The  matter  which  has  just  been 
before  the  Convention  affords  a very  happy  illustration  of  a point 
which  I hope  to  present  to  the  Convention  to-morrow  morning,  namely, 
that  there  is  no  proper  Committee,  eo  nomine , before  which  such  subjects 
can  come,  and  that,  if  considered  at  all,  special  Committees  must  be 
appointed  for  that  purpose.  I therefore  give  notice  that  I shall  offer  a 
resolution  to-morrow  for  the  appointment  of  a Committee  of  five,  to  be 
called  “ the  Committee  on  State  Medicine.” 

Dr.  Griscom,  in  behalf  of  the  Business  Committee,  offered  the 
following  resolutions  : — 

Resolved , That  the  Convention  take  into  consideration  the  expe- 
diency of  recommending  the  passage  of  a law  in  relation  to  poisons  and 
dangerous  drugs,  as  recommended  in  the  appendix  to  the  Beport  sub- 
mitted by  Dr.  Guthrie,  “ On  the  control  of  the  sale  of  poisons.” 

Resolved , That  the  Convention  take  consideration  of  the  Beport 
of  the  Committee  on  External  Hygiene,  and  the  code  of  Marine  Hy- 
giene recommended  therein. 

Dr.  Griscom  moved  the  adoption  of  the  first  resolution. 

Dr.  Jewell.  I object  entirely  to  furnish  instructions  to  any  Legis- 
lature as  to  what  drugs  they  shall  define  as  poisons,  or  as  to  what 
special  law  they  shall  enact  upon  the  subject  of  the  sale  of  drugs.  I 
think  it  would  be  more  becoming  this  national  body  merely  to  submit 
the  Beport,  with  a simple  resolution  appended,  recommending  to  the 
different  Statesto  pass  laws  regulating  the  sale  of  poisonous  drugs  ; and 
I think,  sir,  when  we  do  that,  we  do  all  that  we  ought  to  do  in  the 
matter.  Indeed,  sir,  I am  not  altogether  clear  on  the  propriety  of 
this  Convention  meddling  with  the  subject  at  all.  I know,  sir,  that 
within  the  last  few  years,  very  considerable  attention  has  been  given 
to  the  question,  owing  to  the  frequency  of  accidental  and  criminal 
poisonings  which  have  taken  place ; and  there  prevails  much  diversity 
of  sentiment  as  to  whether  direct  legislation  for  the  restriction  of  the 
sale  of  poisonous  drugs  will  effectually  remedy  the  evil.  But  taking 
the  side  of  the  Beport  now  before  us,  that  legal  restrictions  are  de- 
manded, there  will  be  unquestionably  some  difficulty  in  framing  a law 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


27 


that  will  particularize  the  poisons  that  are  not  to  he  sold  from  the 
druggists’  shelves. 

Why,  sir,  the  list  of  poisons  inserted  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Re- 
port is  far  from  being  complete,  as  there  are  many  which  are  equally 
poisonous  with  those  that  are  named,  and  we  should  do  injustice  to  the 
subject  by  passing  the  Appendix  as  it  now  stands.  If  a careful 
examination  be  made  of  the  properties  of  some  of  the  more  ordi- 
nary drugs  on  sale,  as  well  as  the  pharmaceutical  preparations  of  the 
laboratory,  it  will  be  discovered  that  there  is  scarcely  one  that  is  not 
poisonous  in  its  character,  or  that  may  not  produce  death • and  shall  we 
undertake  to  define  what  drugs  and  chemicals  come  under  the  class  of 
poisons  ? It  occurs  to  me,  that  if  we  attempt  that  object,  we  must 
extend  the  list  to  a very  great  length,  and  then  it  may  prove  imperfect, 
as  we  are  neither  a medical  nor  pharmaceutical  body. 

Then  again,  sir,  I object  to  the  form  of  the  law,  as  there  recommend- 
ed, defining  what  regulations  shall  be  made  by  druggists  in  regard  to 
the  sale  of  these  drugs.  That,  sir,  is  a recommendation  that  can  never 
be  carried  out.  Do  you  tell  me  that  the  druggists  in  Philadelphia, 
New  York  city,  and  in  Boston,  are  not  competent  to  regulate  the  sale 
of  their  drugs  ? I think,  sir,  that  it  is  an  insult  offered  to  a respect- 
able druggist,  to  say  that  he  shall  be  compelled  to  go  to  a State  Society, 
or  to  two  respectable  physicians  in  the  place  where  he  lives,  and  ob- 
tain their  signatures,  before  he  shall  be  permitted  to  sell  drugs. 

I hold,  that  our  druggists  are  an  intelligent  and  scientific  class  of 
men,  — that  they  are  competent  to  regulate  their  own  business,  with- 
out the  interference  of  this  Convention,  and  that,  if  needs  be,  they 
will  consider  this  question  of  the  legal  sale  of  poisons  in  their  own 
American  Pharmaceutical  Association,  and  where  already,  I am  in- 
formed, the  subject  has  been  discussed  and  dismissed  as  one  that  can- 
not effectually  be  remedied  through  statutory  regulations.  This  evil 
will  remedy  itself  in  time.  The  increased  intelligence  among  druggists, 
and  the  desirableness  on  their  part  to  place  a check  upon  the  facilities 
for  obtaining  deadly  poisons,  may  be  all  that  is  required. 

The  accidents  that  have  taken  place  are  the  result  of  carelessness 
or  ignorance  on  the  part  of  the  dispenser  of  the  articles,  — not,  how- 
ever, by  the  proprietors  of  the  stores,  but  by  incompetent  boys  in  their 
employ.  And  this  is  the  great  fault,  after  all,  that  so  many  of  our 
stores  are  left  in  charge,  at  certain  times,  of  those  who  are  not  capable 
of  dispensing  drugs  and  medicines. 

I,  for  one,  consider  the  plan  proposed  by  the  Committee,  in  the  Appen- 
dix, as  impracticable  to  carry  out,  and  I think  that  all  we  can  do,  if 
anything  is  proper  to  be  done,  is  to  recommend  to  the  Legislatures  of 
the  several  States  the  passage  of  a law  regulating  the  sale  of  poisons. 
That  is  all  I have  to  say  upon  the  subject. 

The  President.  Do  you  propose  any  amendment  ? 

Dr.  Jewell.  No,  sir.  I should  like  to  hear  the  views  of  the  Con- 
vention upon  the  subject.  I should  be  very  willing  to  offer  an  amend- 
ment, if  such  is  the  sentiment  of  the  Convention  ; but  I do  not  wish 
to  restrict  them  to  any  amendment  of  that  kind.  I would  much  rather 


28  National  Quarantine  Convention. 

they  should  discuss  the  question  upon  its  merits,  as  it  is  presented  in 
the  Appendix. 

Dr.  Griscom.  There  certainly  exists  a great  necessity  for  the 
adoption  of  some  means  by  which  the  sale  of  poisons  and  dangerous 
drugs  shall  be  regulated,  and  put  under  the  control  of  law.  Here  is 
a proposition  for  that  purpose.  The  plain  question  is  before  us  : does 
this  proposition  meet  the  wants  of  the  case  ? I think,  Mr.  President, 
upon  a careful  examination  of  the  law,  as  recommended  in  the  Appen- 
dix to  this  Report,  the  Convention  must  come  to  the  conclusion,  that 
in  view  of  the  strong  statements  presented  in  the  Report  itself,  this 
law  would  be  inefficient  and  inoperative  for  any  good,  if  passed  by  the 
Legislature  of  any  State.  It  does  not  place,  as  I apprehend  it,  any 
check  whatever  upon  the  sale  of  drugs.  I say,  none  whatever.  It 
merely  restricts  the  right  to  sell  to  certain  persons,  and  those  persons 
are  to  be  authorized  to  sell  poisonous  drugs  and  medicines  just  as  ex- 
tensively, without  any  further  guards  than  now  exist,  except  that  the 
character  of  the  seller  is  to  be  determined  by  certain  forms,  and  there 
are  several  modes,  according  to  the  proposed  law,  by  which  this  may 
be  accomplished.  The  first  authority  mentioned  is  a diploma  or  cer- 
tificate of  membership  of  a college  of  pharmacy.  I believe  there  are 
but  two  such  colleges  in  the  United  States,  — one  in  New  York,  and 
another  in  Philadelphia. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  There  ape  several  of  them.  There  is  one  in  Bos- 
ton, one  in  New  York,  one  in  Philadelphia  — the  largest  in  the  Uni- 
ted States  — there  is  an  effective  one  in  Baltimore  ; there  is  a living 
one  in  Cincinnati ; a growing  one  in  St.  Louis ; one  in  California,  one 
in  Richmond,  and  one  or  two  other  incipient  ones. 

Dr.  Griscom.  I am  very  happy  to  be  corrected,  though  I believe 
that  all  but  the  first  five  mentioned  by  Dr.  Guthrie  will  be  found  to  be 
but  pharmaceutical  associations , and  not  colleges.  We  find,  then, 
that  but  five  of  the  States  are  furnished  with  colleges,  from  which  a 
diploma  or  certificate  could  be  obtained.  But  let  us  go  further,  and 
suppose  every  State  in  the  Union  to  be  furnished  with  a college  of 
pharmacy.  This  law  does  not  make  the  possession  of  its  diploma  ob- 
ligatory upon  the  dispenser  or  vender  of  poisonous  drugs,  but  in  the 
absence  of  such  a document,  it  requires  the  certificate  of  the  “ Amer- 
ican Pharmaceutical  Association,”  or  that  of  u two  or  more  physicians 
in  regular  and  active  practice.”  What  does  that  mean,  but  that  any 
two  physicians  may  give  a certificate  to  an  apothecary,  or  any  individual 
who  chooses  to  call  himself  an  apothecary,  and  he  may  sell  poisons. 
Now,  every  one  who  knows  the  character  of  many  medical  practition- 
ers, even  of  some  of  those  in  regular  standing,  knows  that  many  of 
them  will  give  a certificate  for  a consideration ; and  many  do  not 
know  what  are  the  requisite  qualifications  for  an  apothecary,  nor  are 
they  even  able,  in  many  instances,  to  distinguish  the  medicines  which 
they  prescribe,  for  they  never  see  anything  more  of  them  than  the 
name  on  the  prescription  papers.  In  such  cases,  the  whole  force  and 
good  intent  of  the  law  would  be  lost.  I think,  therefore,  that  it  would 
be  exceedingly  unwise  and  unfortunate  for  the  Convention  to  commit 
itself  to  any  such  law. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


29 


With  regard  to  the  list  of  poisons,  I agree  with  Dr.  Jewell,  that 
there  are  some  others  which  ought  to  be  included  in  it ; and  on  turn- 
ing to  the  Report,  I find  that  some  States  have  already  passed  laws 
upon  this  subject,  and  far  more  efiicient  laws  than  this  seems  to  be.  I 
think  no  poisons  should  be  allowed  to  go  out  of  an  apothecary’s  shop, 
except  on  the  prescription  of  a physician.  Laudanum,  even,  should 
never  be  allowed  to  be  sold  in  any  quantity  larger  than  an  ordinary 
dose,  nor  any  poison  delivered,  except  under  the  sign-manual  of  a phy- 
sician, who  then  becomes  responsible  for  the  safety  of  his  patient.  A 
case  has  recently  occurred  in  the  city  from  which  Dr.  Jewell  comes, 
which  illustrates  the  danger  of  mistakes  in  putting  up  the  prescriptions 
of  physicians.  A body  was  a corpse  in  twelve  hours,  in  consequence 
of  a mistake  made  by  the  apothecary  in  putting  up  the  prescription; 
and  this  mistake  occurred  only  from  the  hasty  and  erroneous  reading 
of  it.  Look  whichever  way  we  will,  there  is  danger ; but  the  indis- 
criminate sale  of  poisons  demands  most  careful  restriction. 

Dr.  Bigelow  — (Dr.  Arnold,  of  Georgia,  in  the  chair).  I have 
for  one  moment  more  requested  the  Vice-President  to  take  the  chair, 
that  I might  say  a few  words  upon  this  subject. 

The  whole  question  was  thoroughly  discussed  in  this  city,  some 
years  ago,  during  a capital  trial  in  a case  of  poisoning  by  arsenic,  and 
it  was  fully  investigated,  in  all  its  bearings.  The  evil  of  the  sale  of 
poisonous  drugs  was  found  to  be  extensive,  but  after  the  most  mature 
and  protracted  agitation  of  the  subject,  it  was  given  up,  under  the 
general  conviction  that  it  is  not  a subject  to  be  governed  by  legisla- 
tion, but  that  it  must  be  controlled  by  operating  upon  public  opinion. 
It  was  found  that  most  enormous  quantities  of  arsenic,  and  other 
poisonous  drugs,  were  sold  in  this  city.  I take  arsenic  as  a specimen. 
One  apothecary  told  me  that  he  always  kept  arsenic  done  up  in  half 
ounce  papers,  which  he  sold  to  anybody  that  inquired  for  it ; and  upon 
my  asking  how  many  such  papers  he  sold  in  a year,  he  made  an  inves- 
tigation, and  told  me  that  he  sold  between  seventy  and  eighty  half 
ounces,  generally  for  the  alleged  purpose  of  poisoning  rats.  It  was 
also  ascertained  to  be  a notorious  fact,  that  arsenic,  in  some  form  or 
other,  is  sold  under  other  names,  and  that  the  article  commonly  vended 
by  the  name  of  cobalt,  in  apothecaries’  shops,  for  the  purpose  of  poi- 
soning flies,  is  nothing  more  nor  less  than  a very  common  compound  of 
arsenic.  It  is  also  well  known  that  this  counterfeit  cobalt  is  exten- 
sively sold  to  provision  dealers,  bakers,  confectioners,  market-men,  and 
to  other  people  who  wish  to  rid  themselves  of  flies.  The  evil  in  this 
instance  and  many  others  was  found  to  be  so  extensive,  that  great 
efforts  were  made  to  remedy  it,  and  preparatory  measures  were  taken 
to  address  the  Legislature  in  order  to  procure  an  act  for  the  restriction 
of  the  sale  of  poisons.  It  was  however  universally  resisted  by  the 
apothecaries,  who  said  that  they  did  not  wish  to  be  hampered  in  the 
sale  of  anything  that  came  legitimately  within  their  province;  that 
half  their  medicines  were  poisons,  if  taken  in  sufficient  doses ; that 
it  was  impossible  for  them  or  for  the  Legislature  of  any  State  to  define 
exactly  what  articles  should  be  prohibited,  and  what  should  not;  and 
it  would  be  found,  moreover,  that  the  more  the  attempt  was  made 


30 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


to  hedge  in  the  sale  of  these  articles  by  restrictive  laws,  the  more 
would  cunning  and  dishonest  men  endeavor  to  evade  those  laws,  so 
that  the  restriction  would  amount  to  nothing  in  the  result.  The  course 
was  then  taken,  which  proved  more  effectual,  of  writing  in  the  news- 
papers, so  as  to  alarm  the  public  in  regard  to  their  own  safety.  They 
were  told  that  the  article  called  “ cobalt,”  — the  article  called  “ fly 
poison/’  — was  nothing  more  nor  less  than  arsenic ; they  were  told 
that  indiscreet  persons  were  in  the  habit  of  using  it  freely,  and  that  a 
vast  number  of  apothecaries  sold  it  to  all  persons,  not  knowing,  or  not 
choosing  to  know,  that  it  was  arsenic,  but  taking  it  for  granted  that  it 
was  a preparation  of  the  other  metal  called  cobalt.  Public  opinion 
became  excited,  people  were  put  upon  their  guard,  and  I think  I may 
truly  say  that  the  evil  was  put  down  more  effectually  by  this  measure 
than  it  could  have  been  by  any  legislation  upon  the  subject.  I think 
that  the  druggists  themselves,  with  reference  to  their  own  reputation, 
and  with  reference  to  the  safety  of.  all  those  who  employ  them,  would 
voluntarily  take  upon  themselves  as  far  as  possible  to  prevent  the  im- 
proper and  dangerous  sales  of  these  articles. 

Dr.  John  Ordronaux,  of  New  York.  I have  but  few  words  to 
say,  especially  after  the  happy  and  very  exhaustive  remarks  which 
you,  sir,  as  an  expert  of  many  years’  standing,  have  offered  upon  the 
subject;  but  I should  do  injustice  to  my  own  position  in  the  commu- 
nity as  well  as  in  the  profession,  if  I did  not  vindicate  before  this  Con- 
vention the  spirit  of  the  Report  which  is  now  presented  for  its  con- 
sideration. 

I must  say,  at  the  outset,  that  I am  somewhat  surprised  at  the  tone 
of  cautious  consideration  which  pervaded  the  remarks  of  Dr.  Jewell, 
when  referring  to  the  sensitiveness  of  apothecaries.  Their  tender  feel- 
ings, rivalling,  he  would  have  us  believe,  those  of  the  Mimosa  pudica, 
must,  it  seems,  be  carefully  considered,  before  any  legislation  shall  be 
applied  to  them.  Little  must  be  said,  nothing  must  be  done,  which 
can  grate  harshly  upon  their  sensibilities.  As  a class,  then,  they  are 
to  be  absolved  from  those  heavy  responsibilities  which  weigh  upon 
the  educated  and  the  learned.  And  those  who,  in  the  majority  of  in- 
stances, are  only  known  to  us  as  the  very  poorest  specimens  of  thera- 
peutic journeymen,  venders  and  peddlers  of  that  indescribable  tribe 
of  baleful  nostrums  which  insidiously  sap  the  public  health  and  the 
public  pocket, — these  men,  are  not  only  to  go  unwhipped  of  justice,  but 
we  are  begged  not  to  raise  even  a voice  of  feeble  protest  against  their 
unlawful  usurpation  of  the  domain  of  materia  medica. 

Mr.  President,  we  hedge  the  theoretical  education  of  medicine 
about  with  certain  sanctions  and  solemnities.  We  require  young  men 
to  perfect  themselves  in  all  the  departments  of  that  noble  science,  ere 
we  permit  them  to  receive  a degree,  or  to  go  forth  to  the  world  as  reg- 
ular and  accredited  physicians.  But  in  all  large  cities,  as  every  gen- 
tleman who  has  practised  therein  knows,  it  is  unusual  for  the  physi- 
cian to  carry  with  him  the  drugs  which  he  prescribes,  because,  by  the 
operation  of  those  laws  of  social  progress  which  prompt  to  the  subdi- 
vision of  labor,  a class  of  persons  has  arisen  called  “ apothecaries,” 
whose  especial  business  it  is  to  compound  and  dispense  the  prescrip- 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


31 


tions  of  physicians.  Conjointly  with  this  duty,  however,  their  stock 
in  trade  has  been  so  amplified  of  late,  by  the  introduction  of  cigars , 
confectionery , and  cosmetics , as  entirely  to  overshadow  the  department 
of  drugs ; so  that  the  popular  idea  of  an  apothecary  now-a-days,  is 
that  of  a man  who  deals  in  a multitude  of  miscellaneous  notions,  and 
a few  drugs. 

Now,  we  insist,  by  the  canons  of  the  iatric  art,  that  educated  men 
shall  alone  prescribe  drugs.  We  must  so  insist  it,  because  the  materia 
medica  is  the  instrument  of  therapeutics ; and  yet  we  tacitly  permit 
illiterate  men,  most  of  whom  are  more  truly  tobacconists  than  apothe- 
caries, to  dispense  drugs  to  our  patients,  without  knowing  the  philoso- 
phy of  those  agencies,  — ay,  sir,  too  often  unable  to  determine 
whether  their  quality  is  perfect,  or  unlearned  in  the  laws  of  their 
chemical  affinities.  I will  pretend  to  go  further,  and  say  that  some, 
even,  can  not  read  intelligently  a prescription,  but  guess  and  conjec- 
ture its  meaning,  according  as  they  can  understand  the  language  of 
abbreviation.  If  they  read  it  correctly,  it  is  well;  if  they  commit 
errors,  the  patient  suffers,  perhaps  dies ; the  physician  is  blamed ; the 
apothecary  is  acquitted  of  any  intentional  wrong  by  a coroner’s  jury; 
the  kindly  earth  covers  the  fault,  and  the  obloquy  of  the  crime  lies 
buried  with  its  victim.  So  far,  then,  as  the  possible  objections  or  dis- 
likes of  apothecaries  are  concerned,  the  lines  that  have  been  applied 
to  other  wrong-doers  will  well  apply  to  them — 

“ What  man  ere  felt  the  halter  draw, 

With  good  opinion  of  the  law? 

And  I repeat  it,  as  a maxim  of  moral,  no  less  than  instituted  law,  that 
the  man  is  guilty  of  fraud  who  takes  any  position  of  public  service 
without  possessing  the  qualifications  necessary  to  a proper  discharge  of 
its  duties. 

Allow  me  to  ask  what  is  to  be  the  result  of  a Convention  like  ours 
passing  upon  this  Report,  and  finding  it  untimely  and  injudicious  ? 
I am  speaking  now  of  the  spirit  of  the  Report  only,  and  not  of  the 
letter  of  legal  instruction  which  it  imparts  in  the  Appendix.  What 
is  it  but  to  admit  that  there  are  sources  of  danger  to  the  health  of 
communities,  arising  from  the  indiscriminate  sale  of  poisons  by  apoth- 
ecaries, and  the  insufficiency  of  their  qualifications  in  compounding 
drugs,  which  we  all  recognize  and  deplore,  and  yet  will  not  so  much 
as  attempt  to  remove,  because  of  the  risk  we  run  of  wounding  their 
feelings,  and  the  uncertainty  of  securing  any  amelioration  ? This  doc- 
trine, sir,  if  carried  out  in  the  practical  operations  of  society,  would 
close  the  door  against  the  very  inception  of  any  moral  or  sanitary  re- 
form. We  should  stagnate  first,  and  eventually  become  petrified 
mourners  over  human  woes,  instead  of  being  living,  executive  men, 
doing  all  good  things  with  a hearty  will,  and  trusting  to  God  for  the 
ultimate  ingathering  of  our  harvest.  Every  gentleman  in  this  assem- 
bly, whether  lay  or  professional,  must  feel  that  the  basis  of  human 
society  lies  in  the  recognition  of  the  first  law  of  nature,  and  that  the 
protection  of  life,  after  all,  must  ever  be  the  culminating  point  of 
human  legislation.  (Applause.)  . 

But  another  subject  invites  our  attention  while  discussing  the 


32 


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merits  of  this  Report.  It  is  that  of  the  list  of  poisons  furnished  in 
the  Appendix,  and  whose  sale  it  is  deemed  expedient  to  restrict.  My 
learned  friend  on  the  right  has  criticised  this  schedule  as  being  in 
many  senses  imperfect.  In  his  opinion,  it  does  not  cover  all  the  poi- 
sonous substances  contained  in  the  Materia  Medica.  If  by  the  term 
“ poisonous  substances,”  he  means  anything  and  everything  capable 
of  producing  dangerous  disturbances  in  the  human  economy,  I entirely 
agree  with  him.  No  list  of  such  substances,  recruited  simply  from  the 
Pharmacopeia,  would  be  complete.  We  should  have  to  descend  into 
the  department  of  alimentary  agents,  because,  forsooth,  what  is  one 
man’s  meat  may  be  just  as  truly  another  man’s  poison,  and  pathologi- 
cal conditions  of  the  system  or  even  physiological  antipathies  may  con- 
vert,pro  hac  vice , articles  of  diet  usually  deemed  innocent,  into  agents  of 
terrific  and  disastrous  power.  But  the  subject  authorizes  no  such  ex- 
treme construction  of  language  as  that,  nor  do  I conceive  that  sani- 
tary necessities  require  it.  It  is  well  enough  understood  by  physicians 
what  are  the  substances  recognized  as  absolutely  poisonous,  and  what 
those,  that  are  only  relatively  so.  Our  purpose  as  a sanitary  Conven- 
tion is  to  urge  a restriction  upon  the  indiscriminate  sale  of  those  sub- 
stances which  all  classes,  learned  or  unlearned,  recognize  to  be  poisons. 
In  this  view  of  the  case,  the  list  is  certainly  ample  enough.  It  in- 
cludes all  the  popular  poisons,  besides  many  more  which  can  offer  no 
risk  to  the  public,  because  the  public  are  not  so  much  as  familiar 
with  their  names,  and  would  not  be  likely  to  call  for  them. 

Another  point  made  by  my  learned  friend  against  the  proposition 
to  enact  laws  requiring  apothecaries  to  be  thoroughly  educated,  was 
that  we  should  be  opposed  by  them.  Opposed  by  them  ? I ask,  Mr. 
President,  if  this  is  a danger  before  which  a body  like  this  should 
pause  and  tremble  ? We  might  as  well  be  afraid  that  medical  students 
would  defiantly  oppose  us  when  we  establish  schools  for  their  medical 
education  and  graduation.  This  is  but  the  baseless  fabric  of  a vision, 
and  not  a terrible  lion ; and  I will  engage  that  the  announcement  of  a 
step  taken  by  the  Convention  in  this  direction,  will  be  followed  by  the 
approbation  of  all  truly  learned  apothecaries,  who  will  prove  our  most 
valuable  auxiliaries. 

Again,  it  is  said  that  colleges  of  pharmacy  are  not  numerous, — that 
they  are  limited  to  a few  large  cities,  and  that  apothecaries  may  not 
find  it  convenient  to  apply  to  them  for  diplomas.  Is  this  an  excuse 
which  deserves  a moment’s  consideration  at  our  hands  ? Are  boards 
of  pharmaceutic  examiners  to  travel  about  the  country  for  the  accom- 
modation of  apothecaries  ? We  cannot  submit  to  the  idea  that  any 
question  of  distance  should  stand  as  an  obstacle  in  the  path  of  their 
qualification.  If  the  colleges  of  pharmacy  are  at  a distance,  this  is  a 
misfortune,  in  the  sense  of  being  an  inconvenience;  but  miles  or 
leagues  should  never  be  allowed  to  exonerate  them  from  the  necessity 
of  thorough  and  systematic  discipline  in  pharmacy.  Do  you  doubt, 
sir,  that  the  true  professional  character  of  apothecaries  would  be  ad- 
vanced by  proving  themselves  to  be  skilled  in  the  philosophy  and  the 
practice  of  their  art?  Would  we  not  all  prefer  to  send  prescriptions 
to  such  men,  to  patronize  them,  in  a word,  and  to  recommend  them  to 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


others  ? Should  not  also  the  apothecary  be  sufficiently  educated  to  be 
able  to  detect  errors  in  prescriptions  ? Any  one  is  liable,  while  writ- 
ing in  haste,  on  poor  paper,  by  an  uncertain  light,  or  amid  the  thou- 
sand perplexities  of  medical  practice,  to  make  either  a textual  error, 
or,  as  happens  more  commonly,  an  illegible  character.  Now,  on  the 
correct  interpretation  of  such  words  and  symbols,  the  issue  of  life  and 
death  may  hang,  and  it  does  appear  to  me  that  a moment’s  reflection 
upon  this,  will,  must,  decide  affirmatively  the  necessity  of  educating 
apothecaries  in  the  Materia  Medica,  up  to  as  high  a standard  as  phy- 
sicians. I maintain,  therefore,  that  the  apothecary  who  is  not  compe- 
tent to  detect  an  error  in  a prescription,  is  not  fit  to  compound  it.  He 
is  simply  working  in  the  dark,  and  trusting  to  blind  chance  for  suc- 
cess. When  a physician  knowingly  patronizes  such  a man,  he  com- 
mits a great  wrong  upon  himself,  nor  can  he  entirely  exonerate  his 
conscience  from  responsibility  for  the  clumsy  acts  of  his  own  agent. 
He  is  in  some  sense  a particeps  criminis  in  the  error  of  the  apothe- 
cary, and  I believe  that,  even  among  the  profession  itself,  there  is  a 
growing  disposition  to  so  regard  it. 

Certainly,  there  is  a manifest  inconsistency  in  keeping  solemn  watch 
over  the  departments  of  surgery,  obstetrics,  and  the  practice  of  thera- 
peutics, while  at  the  same  time  the  natural  instrument  of  all  thera- 
peutics, the  Materia  Medica,  is  left  open,  like  some  great  common  ap- 
purtenant, for  all  manner  of  creatures  to  range  through  and  pasture 
upon.  It  is  a reflection  upon  the  character  of  the  divine  art,  thus 
quietly  to  surrender  the  temple  of  nature  into  illiterate  hands,  instead 
of  raising  our  voices  and  filling  the  broad  concave  of  heaven  with  a 
cry  of  perpetual  protest.  I am  truly  surprised,  therefore,  that  this 
Report  should  have  been  made  the  subject  of  so  much  criticism  and 
animadversion.  For  my  part,  I am  decidedly  in  favor  of  moving  for- 
ward to  the  good  work  of  reform.  We  have  temporized  enough,  — 
more  than  enough,  with  this  great  crying  evil,  and  the  consequence  is 
that  we  have  been  driven  to  the  wall.  I am  ready  to  agree  with  my 
learned  friend,  that  public  opinion  has  often  to  be  educated  and  ad- 
vanced, before  it  can  readily  understand,  appreciate,  and  sympathize 
with,  the  necessity  of  professional  safeguards,  and  that  much  is  looked 
upon  as  usurpation  in  the  physician  or  lawyer  which  is  more  truly 
protection  and  safety  for  the  citizen  at  large.  But,  sir,  with  a larger 
measure  of  faith,  I am  also  of  those  who  believe  in  working  for  ulti- 
mate good.  I am  disposed  to  put  seed  in  the  earth,  under  whatever 
professional  sky  I may  stand,  and  although  no  harvest  should  follow, 
I shall  still  have  the  satisfaction  of  feeling  that  I labored  with  zeal  to 
obtain  one. 

Therefore,  I give  my  hand  and  my  vote  to  any  measure  which  can 
throw  safeguards  about  human  life  ; and  more  particularly  in  this  con- 
nection* do  I wish  to  advance  the  progressive  character  of  the  medical 
profession,  by  amputating  that  poor  caudal  appendage  of  undisciplined 
and  irresponsible  apothecaries.  (Applause.) 

Dr.  Sayre,  of  New  York.  I appreciate  the  spirit  of  the  remarks 
of  the  last  gentleman,  as  every  man  in  our  profession  must  do.  I am 


34 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


as  desirous  as  he  that  we  should  do  something  to  a practical  effect,  if 
possible.  We  have  no  power,  however,  to  control  the  legislative  action 
upon  the  druggists  of  any  of  the  States,  hut  we  can  simply  act  by  our 
moral  influence.  And  the  influence  of  such  a body  of  men  as  is  col- 
lected here,  you,  sir,  know  well  must  weigh  very  strongly  with  the  legis- 
lature of  every  State ; and  the  expression  of  opinion  here  must  have 
its  weight  in  the  future  action  of  all  the  legislatures.  I have,  there- 
fore, prepared  the  following  resolution  : — 

Resolved , That  this  Convention  recommend  the  various  State  legis- 
latures to  pass  such  laws  regulating  the  sale  of  poisonous  drugs  as  in 
their  wisdom  may  prove  effectual  in  arresting  the  destruction  of 
human  life  by  the  indiscriminate  sale  of  those  dangerous  articles. 

Mr.  President : In  order  to  give  the  gentleman  who  made  the  Re- 
port an  opportunity  to  reply,  I will  withdraw  that  motion,  for  a few 
moments. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  Mr.  President:  I am  obliged  to  my  friend  Dr. 
Sayre,  for  his  courtesy ; and  I shall  make  no  apology  to  this  Conven- 
tion if  I should  trespass  a little  upon  its  time  to  reply  to  some  of  the 
arguments  which  have  been  set  forth  against  the  Report.  I am  not 
certain  that  I will  not  vote  for  that  resolution,  at  a proper  time.  But 
I desired,  before  the  resolution  was  offered,  to  say  a few  words  which 
I could  not  as  well  say  under  that  head.  I also  return  my  thanks  to 
my  friend  on  my  right,  who  has  so  eloquently  defended  this  Report. 
There  were  enunciations  of  truth  which  carried  conviction  to  more 
than  one  mind. 

I wish  to  pay  my  respects  to  my  learned  friend  Dr.  Jewell,  and  to 
take  the  time  of  the  Convention  to  reply,  in  a few  words,  to  what  has 
been  said. 

We  are  told,  Mr.  President,  that  the  objection  to  this  law  is  simply 
that  we  cannot  coerce  legislatures.  We  do  not  expect  to  coerce 
legislatures.  We  come  as  a deliberative,  scientific  body,  and  recom- 
mend what  we  have  been  desirous  to  bring  about  ever  since  we  have 
met  to  discuss  these  great  questions.  Have  we  obtained  a law  since 
this  Convention  was  first  organized  ? Have  we  made  one  step  forward, 
of  any  importance,  in  the  way  of  getting  such  laws  as  have  been,  from 
time  to  time,  submitted  to  the  Convention  ? If  we  have,  some  gen- 
tleman will  please  name  them  to  me. 

A Member.  Plenty  of  them. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  Upon  that  subject,  then,  simply  because  we  have  not 
got  what  we  might  have  got,  and  because  legislation  is  difficult,  we  can 
make  no  attempt  at  obtaining  a law  ! If  you  look  over  the  Report 
carefully,  you  will  see  that  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  Michi- 
gan, Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Missouri,  Massachusetts,  Ohio,  and  New  York, 
and  various  other  States  in  the  Union,  have  legislated  upon  this  very 
subject.  But  what  has  been  the  character  of  that  legislation  ?*  If  you 
will  carefully  peruse  these  laws,  as  given  here,  you  will  find  that  they 
have  had  reference  simply  to  the  registration,  simply  with  a view  of 
keeping  tally  of  the  evil  done,  and  with  no  view  of  preventing  the 
evil  itself.  I know  what  the  apothecaries  of  the  nation  are,  Mr. 
President ; I have  had  a better  opportunity  to  know  them  than  most 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


35 


gentlemen  who  belong  to  the  profession,  and,  while  I acknowledge  that 
there  is  ignorance,  that  there  is  a want  of  capacity,  that  as  a profes- 
sion — if  I may  name  them  as  such  — they  are  not  what  they  ought 
to  be,  yet  I take  pleasure  in  saying  that  there  is  a Pharmaceutical 
Association  in  the  United  States,  comprising  over  five  hundred  of  the 
best  men  in  the  country,  who  are  laboring  there,  as  we  here,  in  the 
cause  of  Medicine.  Shall  we  say  to  them,  “Poor  devils,  we  don’t  want 
you  ? ” That  is  the  spirit  of  what  has  been  said  here.  Shall  we  say, 
“ We  will  offer  you  no  opportunity  to  come  out  from  oil,  and  glass,  and 
patent-medicine,  and  become  really  a branch  of  the  profession  of  med- 
icine ? ” 

The  law  proposes,  not  that  no  one  shall  be  allowed  to  sell  glass,  and 
cigars,  and  all  that  sort  of  things,  as  almost  all  of  them  do  now;  but 
that,  when  one  comes  to  deal  with  that  which  affects  life  and  health 
most  closely,  — with  the  most  potent  poison, — he  shall  have  some 
guarantee  of  his  character,  he  shall  have  something  upon  which  to  base 
his  reputation  of  an  apothecary.  And  to  that  end  we  ask  that  a step 
forward  shall  be  taken  by  the  different  legislatures,  and  that  they  shall 
require  that  an  apothecary  shall  be  a graduate  of  the  College  of 
Pharmacy.  We  have  one  such  college  in  Boston.  And  I regret, 
very  much,  and  I think  it  was  an  error,  that  the  College  of  Pharmacy 
of  Boston,  as  well  as  the  College  of  Pharmacy  of  New  York,  were  not 
asked  to  send  delegates  to  this  very  Convention;  because  this  is  one  of 
the  questions  which  they  are  competent  to  discuss,  and  in  which  we  could 
have  been  enlightened  by  their  knowledge  and  skill.  They  were 
invited  at  New  York,  but  not  in  Philadelphia  or  Baltimore.  I say 
I regret  this  ; because  you  have,  in  Boston,  apothecaries  compe- 
tent to  teach  the  gentlemen  of  this  or  any  body  what  are  the  dangers 
arising  from  the  sale  of  poison,  because  they  are  daily  and  hourly 
in  contact  with  the  practical  operation  of  the  matter.  We  ask, 
then,  you  shall  protect  the  legitimate  apothecary, — the  man  who 
desires  to  lay  aside  glass,  and  oil,  and  cigars,  and  patent  medicines, 
and  make  himself  a professional  man.  Shall  we  extend  a help- 
ing hand  to  them  ? Shall  we  recommend  to  the  different  legislatures 
to  do  something  to  elevate  this  class  of  men,  so  much  derided  by  the 
medical  profession  ? 

Next,  the  graduates  of  a College  of  Pharmacy  have  to  pass  an  ex- 
amination, and  to  have  their  competency  certified  by  the  officers  thereof; 
and  before  any  one  can  become  a member  of  the  American  Pharma- 
ceutical Association,  he  must  receive  the  recommendation  of  three 
members.  Thus  they  may  gain  authority  for  dispensing  this  class  of 
poisons.  Then,  where  neither  of  these  modes  of  qualification  are 
practicable,  — as  is  the  case  in  our  rural  districts,  the  proposed  law 
requires  the  certificate  of  two  respectable  practitioners  of  medicine, — 
and  that  is  as  near  as  we  can  come  to  accomplish  the  object  sought, — 
to  make  one  step  forward  in  the  progress  of  elevating  the  apothecary  in 
the  rural  districts.  If  we  could  pass  a law,  throughout  the  United 
States  to-day,  that  should  carry  into  effect  this  first  requisition,  it 
would,  in  addition  be  a stimulant  to  every  incipient  apothecary,  which 
would  induce  him  to  prepare  himself  so  as  to  stand  up  at  the  head  of 


36 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


liis  profession.  We  desire  that  the  frequently  recurring  cases  of  poison 
from  carelessness  and  accident  shall  be  swept  from  our  health-bills  and 
sanitary  reports.  And  we  shall  never  do  anything  that  shall  take  the 
sale  of  poison  out  of  the  hands  of  village  grocers,  and  from  shops 
where  all  other  goods  are  sold,  until  we  legislate  for  the  apothecary 
himself,  and  make  a distinguish  between  him  and  the  man  who  sells 
paints  and  dye-stuffs.  New  York  has  a law  which  requires  every  man 
in  the  State,  who  seeks  to  become  an  apothecary,  to  submit  to  an  ex- 
amination ; but  the  phraseology  of  the  law  is  such  that  it  has  remained 
a dead  letter,  and  is  utterly  inoperative  and  void.  I look  upon  the 
present  proposition  as  the  only  means  by  which  to  give  the  apothecaries 
a ladder  to  rise  to  the  position  they  are  entitled  to  occupy,  as  dealers 
in  these  dangerous  and  often  misused  drugs. 

Dr.  Griscom  speaks  of  State  laws.  We  ask  of  the  States  nothing 
more  than  they  have  been  doing.  We  only  ask  that  the  laws  shall 
be  uniform.  For  instance ; in  New  York,  a person  unable  to  obtain 
the  poison  he  wants,  has  only  to  cross  to  New  Jersey,  and  under  a law 
entirely  different  to  get  what  he  seeks.  In  Pennsylvania  it  is  still  dif- 
ferent. We  seek*  a uniform  law  only,  which  shall  bear  alike  in  all  the 
States. 

With  regard  to  this  list,  I have  only  to  say  that  I have  not  at  any 
time,  supposed  that  the  list  of  poisons  as  laid  down  here  was  at  all  com- 
plete, or  that  it  could  not  be  amended  and  improved.  I submitted  the 
list  to  some  of  our  best  apothecaries,  some  of  whom  proposed  additions, 
and  some  of  whom  would  have  struck  out  certain  of  the  poisons  named ; 
and  I made  it  a medium  law,  to  which,  without  exception,  they 
have  referred  as  one  that  could  be  made  effective,  and  in  which  they 
would  acquiesce. 

They  say  that  all  the  laws  now  existing  require  the  certificate  of  a 
regular  physician ; and  there  is  the  stumbling-block  at  which  these 
laws  have  all  failed.  Will  anybody  tell  me  who  is  a regular  physician 
in  the  United  States  ? Dr.  Griscom  reminds  us  how  easy  it  is  to  get 
a certificate.  Cannot  anybody  get  a prescription  ? And  hence,  if  you 
put  in  this  clause  concerning  the  regular  physician,  you  set  the  apoth- 
ecary at  sea,  and  he  has  no  law  by  which  he  can  be  controlled.  He 
does  not  know,  half  the  time,  who  the  physician  is,  and  has  not,  half 
the  time,  any  means  of  verifying  what  he  may  know.  So  that  legisla- 
tion of  this  kind  meets  with  divers  objections. 

We  ask  the  States  to  do  just  one  thing  more  than  they  have  done, 
and  that  is,  simply  to  protect  the  apothecary  in  his  legitimate  business, 
so  far  as  they  can,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  make  the  law  uniform,  and 
to  do  nothing  more  than  they  are  attempting  to  do  to  protect  the  State. 

Now,  in  Philadelphia,  the  apothecaries  complain  of  the  law,  that  it 
is  indefinite ; in  New  York  they  complain  of  the  same  thing.  In  Mas- 
sachusetts, the  statute  provides  “ that  any  person  selling  arsenic,  strych- 
nine, corrosive  sublimate,  or  prussic  acid,  except  upon  the  written  pre- 
scription of  a physician,  shall  keep  a record  of,  first,  the  date;  second, 
the  article  sold  ; third,  its  amount;  and  fourth,  the  name  of  the  pur- 
chaser. Penalty  not  more  than  $50. 

Here  is  where  my  friend  got  the  idea  of  penalty*.  There  is  no  penalty 


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37 


fixed  in  this  law,  — it  is  left  blank.  In  Massachusetts  it  is  $50,  in 
Philadelphia  $50,  in  New  York,  $100.  In  Ohio,  the  penalty  is  not 
named ; but  the  authorized  sale  is  made  punishable  offence. 

I will  not  detain  the  Convention  by  any  more  remarks  upon  the 
subject,  but  will  close  by  saying  that  all  the  Committee  hope  for,  is 
that  we  shall  make  something  like  progress. 

Dr.  Sayre,  of  New  York.  I introduced  my  resolution  for  the 
purpose  of  progress  and  action.  I am  satisfied  that  this  question  has 
been  so  thoroughly  discussed  that  every  member  here  is  convinced  of 
the  necessity  of  action;  and,  therefore,  I renew  my  resolution,  and  I 
have  no  objection  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Convention  being  directed 
to  furnish  the  various  State  Legislatures  with  copies  of  the  Report, 
that  they  may  adopt  or  modify,  as  they  may  see  fit,  not  limiting  the 
list  to  these  poisons.  But  I think  that  if  they  will  regulate  the  list 
of  poisons  by  the  counsel  of  educated  men,  there  is  no  necessity  of 
forwarding  this  list,  at  all : and  I therefore  move  my  first  resolution. 

Dr.  Stevens.  I desire  to  say  one  word.  My  reflections  lead  me 
to  this  conclusion,  Mr.  President, — that,  the  more  we  attempt  to  go 
into  particulars,  in  our  proposition,  the  more  difficulties  we  are  likely 
to  meet.  If  Dr.  Sayre’s  resolution,  and  the  other  resolution,  are  lim- 
ited simply  to  a recommendation,  calling  the  attention  of  legislatures 
to  this  evil,  and  requesting  them  to  act  upon  the  subject  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  their  wisdom  shall  seem  most  conducive  to  the  attain- 
ment of  the  end  in  view,  I think  we  shall  then  make  a recommenda- 
tion adapted  to  all  climates  and  all  circumstances ; and  when  we  do 
otherwise,  we  make  a Procrustean  bed.  It  will  be  objected  to  in 
many  places  where  it  is  not  practicable,  and  will  not  come  into  use. 
We  should  use  our  influence,  to  the  utmost  extent,  to  state  the  end  in 
view,  and  not  state  the  special  means  of  attaining  that  end. 

Dr.  Sayre.  I thought  that  resolution  covered  the  ground  which 
Dr.  Stevens  desires. 

Dr.  Stevens.  I ask  for  the  reading  of  the  resolution. 

The  resolution  was  read,  and  the  question  being  taken,  was  unani- 
mously adopted. 

Dr.  Sayre.  I move  that  a copy  of  the  resolution  be  addressed, 
by  the  Secretary  of  the  Convention,  to  the  Governors  of  the  various 
States  of  the  Union,  and  that,  accompanying  it,  there  be  sent  a copy 
of  the  present  Report. 

Dr.  Griscom.  Mr.  President:  I approve  of  that  last  resolution, 
with  some  alterations  in  the  Report  itself,  — though  not  in  the  Report 
so  much  as  in  the  Appendix.  I strongly  object,  still,  — in  the  same 
line  of  direction  in  which  I objected  before, — that  the  certificate  of 
recommendation  from  two  or  more  physicians  is  useless,  as  amounting 
to  nothing  whatever.  It  was  suggested  by  the  eloquent  gentleman  on 
my  right,  that  any  druggist  could  get  a good  certificate  for  a good 
cigar.  It  is  useless  to  depend  upon  a certificate  from  individuals 
having  no  authority.  I would  suggest  an  amendment,  to  make  the 
Appendix  read  thus  : — 


38 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


FORM  OF  LAW  TO  REGULATE  THE  SALE  OF  POISONS  AND 
DANGEROUS  DRUGS. 

Section  1.  No  person  shall  be  allowed  to  sell  or  dispense  any  arti- 
cles known  as  “ Poisons  or  dangerous  Drugs’’  except  they  shall  hold 
the  diploma  or  certificate  of  membership  of  a college  of  pharmacy, 
or  the  certificate  of  the  American  Pharmaceutical  Association,  certi- 
fying to  their  acquirements  as  apothecaries,  and  integrity  as  men,  which 
diploma  or  certificate  shall  be  exhibited  in  a conspicuous  place  in  their 
stores.  This  act  shall  not  be  considered  as  applying  to  practitioners 
of  medicine  in  selling  or  dispensing  to  their  patients. 

Sect.  2.  The  persons  authorized  to  sell  or  dispense  poisons  or  dan- 
gerous drugs,  shall  keep  a Book  of  Registration,  in  which  the  name  of 
the  article  and  the  quantity  sold,  and  the  name  and  sex  of  the  pur- 
chaser shall  be  duly  entered,  and  it  shall  not  be  lawful  to  sell  or  dis- 
pense the  same  to  minors  or  persons  of  unsound  mind. 

Sect.  3.  This  act  shall  not  be  taken  to  apply  to  such  as  are  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  or  wholesaling  of  any  such  articles,  except  when 
sold  in  small  quantities  to  others  beside  the  trade. 

Sect.  4.  All  such  articles  shall  be  clearly  and  distinctly  labelled 
with  the  name  of  each  article,  and  such  as  are  commonly  used  for  the 
destruction  of  vermin  shall  also  be  labelled  Poison,  before  leaving  the 
hands  of  the  apothecary. 

Sect.  5.  All  persons  offending  against  the  provisions  of  this  law, 
shall  be  subject  to  a penalty  of  $ for  each  and  every  offence. 

Dr.  Jones,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  I am  informed,  by  my  friend  on 
the  right,  that  the  profession  of  medicine  has  been  misconceived.  In 
my  mind,  I had  no  idea,  sir,  that  we  were  such  an  exalted  set  of  beings, 
or  that  the  apothecaries  had  gone  down  to  that  depth  to  which  he  has 
sunk  them.  I had  almost  come  to  the  conclusion  that  we  have  no 
legitimate  apothecaries.  The  remarks  made  by  Dr.  Griscom  bring 
forcibly  to  my  mind  the  necessity,  at  least  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
of  the  alteration  which  he  suggests.  Perhaps  my  friends  are  not 
aware  that  the  profession  of  medicine,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  is 
equal  to  that  of  the  house-painter  and  the  blacksmith.  Anybody  can 
practise  medicine,  and  anybody  practising  medicine  is  called  a physi- 
cian, and  is  so  considered  by  the  law ; so  that  anybody  can  give  this 
certificate,  and  the  druggists  can  obtain  two  names  for  a very  small 
sum.  I speak  from  knowledge,  sir,  from  positive  observation.  I 
caused  two  bodies  to  be  disinterred,  last  week,  that  were  put  under  the 
sod  for  twenty-five  cents  a-piece.  Foreigners  coming  into  our  State 
have  only  to  go  to  the  County  Clerk’s  office,  register  their  diplomas, 
and  practise  medicine.  Two  certificates  of  death  emanated  from  such 
a source.  When  I investigated  the  matter,  I found  that  the  gentle- 
man had  not  seen  either  body ; and  I learned,  upon  the  coroner’s  in- 
quest, that  the  price  he  charged  was  twenty-five  cents.  And  he  had 
done  it  often  ; and  others  are  doing  the  same  thing.  And,  therefore, 
I hope  that  Dr.  Griscom’s  amendment,  striking  out  the  word  “ physi- 
cians,” as  far,  at  least,  as  the  State  of  New  York  is  concerned,  will  be 
adopted. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


39 


Dr.  Guthrie. 

1 hope  that  the  Convention  will  not  adopt  the  amendment, — for  this 
reason.  The  whole  difficulty  is  here : if  we  were  legislating  for  the 
city  of  Boston,  or  New  York,  or  Philadelphia,  it  might  all  be  very  well; 
but  gentlemen  forget  that  we  have  a wide  expanse  of  country 
where  no  such  thing  as  a College  of  Pharmacy  is  known,  and  no 
one  is  within  the  reach  of  such  an  institution.  Allow  me  to  call 
back  the  attention  of  the  Convention  to  one  fact,  that  the  masses  of 
people,  themselves,  are  the  ones  to  be  benefited  or  injured  by  the  pas- 
sage of  such  a law  as  this.  If  a man  is  to  be  able  to  get  such  certifi- 
cates as  my  friend  Jones  has  described,  does  this  make  the  improper 
sale  of  poisons  any  less  criminal  ? does  it  make  it  any  easier  than  now  ? 
does  it  do  any  harm  ? Go  into  the  interior  of  this  State,  into  any  of 
our  small  villages  where  there  are  a hundred  or  more  inhabitants.  If 
there  is  an  apothecary  there  who  has,  on  his  counter,  or  on  the  side  of 
his  shop,  the  registration  of  two  men  certifying  to  his  integrity  of 
character  and  his  capacity  as  apothecary,  is  he  not  likely  to  be  more 
careful,  and  are  not  there  two  individuals  of  respectable  character  likely 
to  be  held  accountable  for  the  manner  in  which  he  does  his  duty  ? The 
other  plan  ignores  the  existence  of  the  country,  and  confines  the  action 
to  the  cities.  We  must  recollect  that  our  action  here  is  to  affect  the 
rural  portion  of  the  country ; and  this  resolution,  as  originally  marked 
out,  carries  this  list  merely  as  a suggestive  list,  and  this  law  as  a sug- 
gestive law,  not  to  be  passed,  necessarily,  as  here,  but  merely  suggest- 
ing what  shall  be  the  limited  number  of  men  who  shall  sell  these  poisons. 
How  is  it  in  the  South?  You  will  find  there,  all  the  dry-goods  mer- 
chant keeping  this  class  of  articles, — at  least,  almost  every  dry-goods 
merchant.  Go  into  the  principal  part  of  the  City  of  New  York,  and 
you  will  find  that  they  keep  arsenic  on  the  same  shelf  with  soda, 
and  everything  of  the  kind.  Let  us  pass  a resolution  which  shall  call 
the  attention  of  the  public  to  this  very  fact.  And,  as  Dr.  Griscom  has  re- 
marked, it  will  bring  this  subject  before  the  public  mind.  Let  us,  then, 
send  out  this  list  of  poisons,  and  let  it  be  carried  to  each  Governor, 
and  from  the  Governor  to  the  Legislature;  and  it  will  do  thus  much,  if 
nothing  more,  — it  will  suggest  to  the  Legislature  that  there  are  other 
things,  beside  arsenic,  and  strychnine,  which  will  kill  people; — if 
they  take  them : and  let  them  add  or  strike  out  such  as  they  will. 
The  argument  in  favor  of  the  thing  is,  that  it  does  not  do  any  harm,  it 
does  not  make  the  matter  any  worse  ; it  does  not  ask  the  Legislature 
to  do  a thing  which,  if  done  by  them,  will  create  any  trouble. 
Apothecaries,  to  whom  I have  submitted  this,  say,  that  if  you  give 
them  anything  like  an  opportunity  of  restricting  to  legitimate  apoth- 
ecaries the  sale  of  these  articles,  they  are  willing  to  keep  a register, 
and  to  be  governed  by  this  law,  which  compels  the  apothecary  to  know 
something  before  he  can  act  in  this  capacity. 

Dr.  Sayre.  The  only  objection  to  sending  this  will  be  the  influ- 
ence it  will  have  upon  the  various  States.  It  will  be  almost  like 
instructing  them.  They  suppose  we  are  satisfied  with  this  law.  I am 
somewhat  in  doubt  about  sending  it  at  all.  I am  not  sure  but  they 
will  take  this  as  prima  facie  evidence  that  we  are  contented  with  it,  or 


40  National  Quarantine  Convention . 

we  would  not  send  it : and  I am  hardly  contented  with  this  law,  as 
suggested  here. 

I propose  to  strike  out  the  list  of  articles,  and  to  say,  simply,  uAny 
articles  known  as  ‘ poisons  or  dangerous  drugs/  except  they  shall  hold 
the  diploma  or  certificate  of  membership  of  a college  of  pharmacy, 
or  the  certificate  of  the  American  Pharmaceutical  Association,  or  the 
certificate  of  two  or  more  physicians  known  to  be  of  good  standing  by 
the  health  officer  or  other  local  authority  in  the  town  where  they 
reside,”  &c. 

As  to  getting  two  certificates  from  physicians,  — anybody  can  prac- 
tise medicine  in  New  York.  Put  “ M.  D.”  at  the  end  of  your  name, 
and  practise  and  sue  for  your  bill : the  only  remedy  is  that  the  patient 
can  sue  you  back  again  if  you  kill  him.  The  bigger  dog  the  doctor 
is,  the  more  he  is  respected. 

I don’t  know  why  we  should  not  take  off  the  Appendix  entirely, 
and  send  the  Report, — not  as  a specimen,  — and  let  the  States  pass 
the  laws  as  they  see  fit. 

Dr.  Guthrie. — Does  Dr.  Sayre  propose  to  strike  out  the  Appendix  ? 
I have  had  some  experience  in  the  country ; and  my  experience  is  that 
the  country  practitioners  are  more  respectable  men,  — taking  the  same 
number  together,  - — than  those  of  the  city.  And  they  are  less  likely 
to  give  such  certificates  to  irresponsible  medical  men  in  the  country, 
than  in  the  city.  A man  in  a village  is  known  individually,  and  upon 
his  merit,  and  is  not  likely  improperly  to  give  a certificate  of  that 
kind  which  will  hold  him  up  as  responsible  to  his  neighbors.  And 
if  the  gentleman  insists  upon  striking  out  the  recommendations 
of  the  law,  and  leaving  simply  the  Report,  then  I would  move  you,  as 
mere  matter  of  good  taste,  that  the  whole  thing  be  passed  over,  by 
laying  it  upon  the  table.  Because,  every  State  almost,  has  a law, — some 
of  them  naming  one  or  two  articles,  some  three  or  four,  some  a 
dozen.  Some  have  laws  not  at  all  operative.  And  the  very  object  of 
making  the  list  was  to  combine  the  important  articles,  and  give  the 
States  a basis  for  action. 

Dr.  Bigelow  (having  resigned  the  Chair  to  the  Vice-President). 
Mr.  President : I cannot  help  soliciting  the  attention  of  the  Conven- 
tion for  a moment,  to  a circumstance  which,  I think,  they  have  wholly 
overlooked.  The  danger  in  this  question  of  selling  poisons,  is  not  so 
much  from  the  ignorance  of  apothecaries  as  from  the  want  of  princi- 
ple in  some  of  them.  We  are  not  so  much  in  danger,  in  the  world  at 
large,  from  the  fools,  as  we  are  from  the  rogues.  It  is  well  known  that 
any  person  wishing  to  perpetrate  any  medical  atrocity,  can  find  a man 
to  answer  his  purpose  in  some  profession  or  other.  What  is  done  by  a 
person  wishing  to  procure  an  abortion  ? He  does  not  go  to  a blun- 
derer, who  can  give  him  .no  assistance ) he  goes  to  an  expert,  a man 
who  has  done  the  thing  many  times,  and  knows  how  to  do  it  quickly 
and  surely.  And  precisely  so  in  the  case  of  poisons.  If  a man  de- 
sires a fatal  dose  of  arsenic,  to  kill  his  neighbor  or  his  wife,  he  does 
not  go  to  an  ignoramus,  who  does  not  know  arsenic  from  ipecacuanha, 
he  goes  to  an  expert,  to  a man  without  conscience,  a man  who,  for  a 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


41 


ten-dollar  bill,  will  sell  him  arsenic  enough  to  kill  all  the  alleged  rats 
in  the  town  where  he  lives.  And  I very  much  fear  that  the  circula- 
tion of  this  Report,  though  it  will  do  some  good,  and  though  I should 
hold  up  my  hand,  upon  all  occasions,  for  the  thorough  and  effectual 
education  of  apothecaries,  will  not  reach  the  evil  for  which  it  is  in- 
tended. 

Dr.  Jewell.  I do  not  wish  this  Convention  to  understand  that  I 
have  a single  objection  to  offer  against  educating  druggists  properly. 

I am  a friend  to  education,  and  hope  I ever  shall  be.  Nor  do  I be- 
lieve that  our  druggists  and  apothecaries  are  uneducated  men.  No, 
sir,  no  class  of  merchants  in  the  community  are.  entitled  to  greater 
credit  than  they  for  the  improvements  made  in  their  business ; the 
mode  of  conducting  it,  as  well  as  the  progress  they  are  making  in 
the  science  of  pharmacy.  They  have  their  colleges  of  pharmacy, 
and  their  pharmaceutical  associations,  and  their  journals  of  pharmacy, 
and  it  is  only  to  look  into  the  character  of  these  institutions  and 
examine  their  results,  in  order  to  test  the  intelligence  and  learning  of 
our  druggists. 

But,  sir,  I say  again,  that  the  evils  pointed  out  in  the  Report  are 
not  to  be  reached  by  legislative  enactments.  How  often  has  the  at- 
tempt been  made  to  restrain  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors  by  legis- 
lation,— a poison  far  more  deadly  and  destructive  to  mankind  at  large 
than  any  of  our  drugs,  — and  as  often  it  has  proved  a failure.  So  it 
has  been  whenever  laws  have  been  passed  restricting  the  sale  of  poi- 
sonous drugs.  Sir,  it  is  impossible  by  legislative  action  to  prevent  men 
drinking  rum.  In  spite  of  all  law  they  will  have  the  vile  stuff  to 
gratify  the  desire,  when  and  where,  and  as  often  and  as  much  as  they 
please.  Hence  I take  the  ground  that  if  a man  is  determined  to  de- 
stroy his  life  with  a poison,  he  will  accomplish  his  purpose,  no  matter 
how  stringent  the  law  may  be,  forbidding  the  sale  of  that  poison. 

Again,  sir,  both  wholesale  and  retail  druggists  are  in  the  habit  of 
selling  poisonous  drugs  in  those  States  where  laws  have  been  made  to 
provide  against  it.  In  these  States,  the  law  is  almost  a dead  letter, 
and  it  is  impossible  to  construct  a law  to  meet  the  emergency. 

In  Pennsylvania,  the  law  requires  that  they  shall  be  sold  “ only  to 
adults.”  Is  that  adhered  to  ? By  no  means.  “Only  upon  the  pre- 
scription of  a physician.”  Is  that  law  adhered  to  ? No,  sir.  Our 
most  respectable  druggists  will  sell  poisons  to  persons  under  age.  I 
know  nothing  by  experience  of  the  result  of  laws  restricting  the  sale 
of  poisonous  drugs  in  the  State  of  New  York,  but  I undertake  to  say 
that  the  law  is  a nullity  there  also,  and  in  every  other  State  where 
such  a law  exists.  I only  wish  to  contend  that  we  cannot  reach  the 
object  by  legislative  enactment.  I think  it  better  that  the  subject 
would  be  confined  to  the  medical  profession.  We  are  not  a medical 
body.  The  American  Medical  Association  has  taken  this  question  up 
in  full,  and  has  recommended,  I believe,  to  all  respectable  physicians, 
not  to  patronize  incompetent  druggists,  or  any  other  class  of  men  who 
have  taken  up  the  sale  of  drugs,  but  to  patronize  those  only  who  are 
regularly  educated  druggists.  And  in  Philadelphia,  the  physicians 
select  intelligent  and  well-educated  druggists ; and  I believe  that  in 


42 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


other  large  cities  the  physicians  are  alike  careful  to  whom  they  send 
their  prescriptions.  I believe  this  the  only  way  in  which  we  can  reach 
the  evil.  I have  not  a single  objection  to  this  Report  going  before  the 
legislatures,  and  let  it  go  before  the  public,  and  it  will  do  no  harm ; 
but  you  cannot  effect  the  object  by  that  means  alone. 

There  is  another  question  which  has  suggested  itself  to  me,  in  the 
discussion  of  this  subject,  and  that  is,  whether  we  are  not  going  a 
little  beyond  our  province  as  a sanitary  Convention,  when  we  touch  a 
subject  of  this  kind,  interfering  with  men  who  are  carrying  on  a legit- 
imate business,  and  instructing  them  what  they  shall  do,  — a dictation 
which,  in  my  judgment,  should  not  come  from  a Convention  asking 
for  quarantine  reform,  and  for  the  establishment  of  sanitary  laws  to 
prevent  disease. 

Dr.  Saunders,  of  New  York.  I must  say  that  I cordially  agree 
with  the  remarks  of  Dr.  Jewell,  of  Philadelphia,  and,  having  had 
some  practice  as  a lawyer,  for  forty-five  years,  I ought  to  have  some 
knowledge  in  reference  to  the  effect  of  the  passage  of  laws  of  this 
description.  I agree  with  Dr.  Jewell,  that  it  is  impossible  to  pass 
laws  restricting  men  from  dealing  in  a particular  class  of  poisons. 
Supposing  a man  is  in  the  quack-medicine  business,  and  chooses  to 
put  up  these  very  articles  in  the  form  of  quack-medicines,  how  is  this 
law  to  operate  upon  him  ? He  cannot  be  restricted.  The  great  diffi- 
culty, it  strikes  me,  is  this  : that  when  you  descend  into  particulars, 
you  have  to  continue  your  particulars  till  there  will  be  no  end  of  them; 
and  when  you  once  commence  this,  you  must  continue,  from  year  to 
year,  suggesting  and  recommending  things  forever.  I merely  arose  to 
make  this  suggestion  as  a matter  which  might,  perhaps,  be  considered 
by  some  other  gentlemen. 

Dr.  Guernsey,  of  New  Jersey.  It  appears  to  me,  Mr.  President, 
that  this  Convention  has  been  convened  for  the  purpose  of  doing  good 
in  anything  that  relates  to  sanitary  matters, — the  preservation  of 
human  life,  — and  that  it  is  our  province  to  recommend  to  the  legisla- 
tures who  have  it  in  their  power,  to  pass  laws  to  assist  us  in  every  way 
by  which  we  may  attain  so  desirable  an  end,  whether  it  be  in  the 
matter  of  the  cow-disease,  or  any  other  matter  connected  with  the  sub- 
ject of  life  and  health. 

This  Report,  as  I understand  it,  contains  something  which  pertains 
to  the  medical  profession,  as  well  as  to  the  dispensers  of  our  prescrip- 
tions. The  question  also,  as  I understand,  relates  to  the  inquiry,  — 
Who  are  physicians  ? And  there,  I think,  we  will  find  the  great  diffi- 
culty about  which  we  are  contending.  In  New  York,  — and  I do  not 
know  but  that  it  is  the  same  in  all  large  cities,  — we  have  any  one  a 
physician  who  chooses  to  put  his  sign  out  and  call  himself  “Doctor.” 
He  has  the  right  to  give  a certificate  of  death,  and  to  write  prescrip- 
tions. If  one  of  his  prescriptions  be  not  written  correctly,  he  is  re- 
sponsible ; but  he  can  hide  the  blunder  by  his  certificate,  and  the  law 
cannot  touch  him.  Now  I think  if  we  can  bring  this  matter  before 
the  legislatures,  in  its  true  light,  they  will  listen  to  us.  1 regard  this 
Convention  as  one  of  more  importance  than  any  other  which  has  been 
held  by  medical  men  in  this  country;  and  I speak  for  the  profession, 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


43 


when  I say  that  we  must  elevate  the  standard  of  medical  learning. 
We  do  not  want  to  associate  with  those  who  do  not  understand  the  law 
of  life,  or  with  a man  who  hardly  knows  the  difference  between  spirit 
camphor  and  tincture  of  opium.  I have  written  many  a prescription 
which  I have  been  afraid  to  trust  the  druggist  to  put  up  until  I have 
been  with  the  patient,  and  stood  over  the  apothecary  to  see  that  he  did 
prepare  it  properly.  And  that  is  the  experience  of  every  medical 
man  on  this  floor,  and  I know  it. 

I have  taken  great  interest  in  this  subject,  although  I have  not  had 
time  to  read  the  Report  since  it  was,  this  morning,  deferred  till  to- 
morrow,/or  consideration ; but  the  last  part  of  it  I consider  most  im- 
portant, and  recommend  it,  most  heartily,  for  the  consideration  of 
those  whose  duty  it  is  to  defend  us  as  well  as  the  community. 

The  question  being  upon  amendment. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  I move,  as  a substitute  for  that  amendment,  the  fol- 
lowing, as  an  addition  to  the  first  resolution  : “and  that  the  form  re- 
commended by  the  Committee  on  Poisons  be  furnished  the  governors 
of  the  States  as  suggestive  of  the  enactment  likely  to  prove  effect- 
ual.” 

Upon  motion,  Dr.  Sayre’s  resolution  was  laid  upon  the  table. 

The  question  recurred  upon  Dr.  Griscom’s  amendments  to  the 
Appendix. 

A motion  was  made  to  lay  the  whole  subject  upon  the  table,  which 
was  lost. 

Dr.  Jewell.  There  are  many  States  where  there  is  no  college  of 
pharmacy,  and  in  those  States  the  amendment  would  cut  off  the  drug- 
gists entirely  from  the  privilege  of  selling.  To  require  men  in  the 
Western  States  to  come  to  the  Eastern  States  where  there  are  colleges, 
to  obtain  a diploma,  is  not  practicable.  I am  opposed  to  the  whole 
matter  of  instruction,  sir;  but  I go  with  the  majority  in  sanctioning 
their  action. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  I would  reply  to  Dr.  Jewell,  that  the  taking  out  of 
the  list  of  poisons,  in  my  mind,  stultifies  the  whole  Report.  If  we  do 
not  recommend  this,  I think  we  should  recommend  nothing  at  all.  I 
should  much  prefer  that  the  Convention  should  lay  the  Report  upon 
the  table  and  not  print  it  at  all,  than  to  strike  out  the  list  of  poisons. 
And,  if  any  deference  at  all  is  to  be  paid  to  my  wish,  it  would  be  that 
if  the  list  is  not  to  be  recommended,  the  Convention  should  lay  the 
whole  subject  upon  the  table,  and  not  print  the  Report  in  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Convention  at  all. 

Hon.  Moses  Kimball,  of  Massachusetts.  If  this  were  strictly  a 
medical  matter,  I certainly  should  not  wish  to  interfere ; but,  as  a 
non-professional,  — and  this  being  a subject  in  which  non-professionals 
are  as  much  interested  as  the  doctors,  — I trust  I shall  be  excused  if 
I suggest  my  views  upon  the  question.  I think  the  last  remark  of  the 
gentleman  who  reported  the  bill  has  been  the  most  judicious  of  any 
he  has  uttered.  He  finds,  after  discussion,  that  the  whole  subject  is 
impracticable,  so  far  as  regards  going  to  the  legislature  to  ask  of  them  a 


44 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


law ; and  he  tells  ns  he  would  prefer  that  it  .should  be  laid  upon  the 
table,  and  sleep  the  sleep  of  the  righteous,  rather  than  that  the  Re- 
port should  be  mutilated.  I believe  he  is  right;  because  I believe  it 
is  impossible  to  get  through  any  legislature  in  this  Union  such  a bill 
as  gentlemen  desire,  and  as  would  be  effective  and  operative  for 
what  is  wanted.  We  have  had  the  matter  discussed  here  by  medical 
gentlemen,  and  no  two  can  agree  as  to  how  the  end  should  be  accom- 
plished. We  can  do  very  well  for  a few  cities,  where  there  are  culti- 
vated apothecaries,  — for  the  greater  part  of  the  Union,  it  is  wholly 
ineffective.  It  is  provided  that  apothecaries  shall  not  sell  certain  poi- 
sons, but  they  may  sell  pounds  of  them  in  combination,  gs  patent 
medicines,  or  upon  the  recommendation  of  any  physician,  who  may  be 
competent  or  otherwise,  — who  may  be  a female  physician ; for  we 
have  female  professors  allowed  in  this  city. 

My  experience  as  a legislator  is,  that  you  could  not  get  a law  passed 
in  any  State  of  the  Union,  that  would  not  be  open  enough  to  drive  an 
ox-team  through.  We  have  laws  now,  in  the  different  States,  to  pre- 
vent these  sales ; and  what  do  they  amount  to  ? They  are  dead-letters, 
everywhere.  Nobody  puts  them  in  force,  and  to  attempt  to  put  them 
in  force  would  be  found  fruitless.  It  is  but  a few  months  since  a poi- 
son was  sold  in  Hanover  Street,  in  Boston,  by  a young  man,  to  another 
young  man;  taken  down  to  Weymouth,  as  it  is  said,  and  a young  lady 
poisoned.  The  party  accused,  now  lies  in  jail  awaiting  his  trial  for 
the  poisoning.  Yet  there  is  no  prosecution  for  the  sale,  and  no  prob- 
ability that  any  notice  will  be  taken  of  it. 

It  is  proposed  to  send  this  law  to  the  governors.  It  will  be  received, 
and  it  will  go  into  the  car-load  of  documents  which  come  to  them  each 
year.  But  suppose  they  do  mention  it  in  the  message  to  the  legisla- 
ture, and  the  legislature  takes  up  the  subject,  and  a committee  is  ap- 
pointed; what  would  the  committee  be  composed  of?  You  all  know 
what  legislators  are  composed  of.  They  are  not,  generally,  great  men. 
They  are  mostly  men  of  the  working  classes,  without  scientific  knowl- 
edge. There  may  be  a doctor,  without  business,  who  can  make  more 
money  in  the  legislature  than  by  his  daily  practice  ; there  may  be  an 
apothecary  or  two,  and  they  would  most  likely  be  upon  the  committee, 
and,  just  as  surely  as  a report  should  be  made  of  a bill  likely  to 
trouble  the  apothecaries,  the  lobby  would  be  set  at  work  to  procure 
the  passage  of  a law  which  would  tolerate  the  sale  of  all  manner  of 
nostrums.  In  fact,  I think  if  you  go  to  the  legislatures  you  will  get 
much  more  than  you  bargain  for  or  desire.  We  are  glad  to  see  the 
Report ; I think  it  does  the  Committee  great  credit  for  its  research, 
and  for  calling  our  attention  to  the  facts.  But  I do  not  believe  that 
anything  useful  can  be  accomplished  by  this  recommendation  to  the 
legislatures.  I therefore,  to  test  the  sense  of  the  meeting,  move  that 
the  whole  subject  be  indefinitely  postponed. 

Dr.  Guernsey  moved  to  adjourn  to  10,  A.  M.,  of  Friday. 

Lost. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


45 


The  question  being  on  Mr.  Kimball’s  motion,  it  was  carried,  and 
the  whole  subject  was  indefinitely  postponed. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Jewell,  the  Convention  adjourned  to  10,  A.  M., 
of  Friday,  June  15. 


SECOND  DAY. 


Friday,  June  15. 

The  Convention  was  called  to  order,  by  the  President,  at  10  o’clock. 

The  Secretary  read  the  journal  of  the  preceding  session,  and  his 
minutes  were  approved. 

Dr.  Arnold,  at  the  request  of  the  President,  then  took  the  chair, 
and  stated  that  the  first  business  in  order  was  the  consideration  of 
the  Deport  on  External  Hygiene. 

Dr.  Jewell  moved  that  the  Report  be  adopted,  and  that  the  Report, 
with  the  Resolutions,  be  published  with  the  proceedings  of  the  Con- 
vention. 

% 

Dr.  Harris,  of  New  York,  called  attention  to  certain  deficiencies  in 
the  Report,  as  printed,  owing  to  the  fact  that  a portion  of  the  manu- 
script was  lost  while  in  the  hands  of  the  printers.  He  expressed 
the  wish  that  the  Report  should  be  made  complete,  when  printed,  in 
the  proceedings,  and,  by  general  consent,  the  Committee  were  au- 
thorized to  complete  it  by  the  insertion  of  the  missing  pages. 

Gen.  Wetmore.  I regard  the  subject  of  this  report,  Mr.  Presi- 
dent, as  one  of  the  most  important  that  can  occupy  the  attention  of 
the  Convention.  The  gentleman  who  moved  its  adoption  did  not  as- 
sign any  reason  why  his  motion  should  prevail,  and  perhaps  it  was 
unnecessary  to  do  s6  ; but  I will  venture  to  occupy  your  time  for  a 
moment  with  two  or  three  suggestions. 

In  the  few  remarks  which  I had  the  honor  to  make  yesterday,  I 
commented  on  the  advantages  which  had  grown  out  of  the  action  of 
the  preceding  Convention,  and  I cannot  be  content  to  give  my  silent 
assent  to  the  form  in  which  the  same  subject  is  now  presented.  I 
think  it  is  due  to  the  Committee  who  prepared  this  Report  that  it 
should  be  fully  discussed,  and  equally  due  to  the  Convention  itself, 
that  the  Report  should  go  forth  to  the  world  with  the  deliberate  sanc- 
tion of  this  body. 

The  question  of  Quarantine  is  but  a branch  of  the  one  great  system 
of  Sanitary  Reform  in  this  country.  We  are  far  behind  other  coun- 
tries not  only  in  regard  to  our  knowledge,  but  also  in  regard  to  our 
action,  on  the  question  of  Sanitary  Reform.  Why,  sir,  what  subject 
can  better  occupy  the  attention  of  public  men  and  public  bodies 


46 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


than  that  which  directly  affects  health  and  human  life  ? Thirty 
years  ago  this  subject  occupied  the  attention  of  the  most  acute  minds 
of  Europe.  It  has  continued  to  do  so  till  the  present  day  in 
France,  and  it  has  engaged  public  attention  in  England  for  nearly  the 
same  period ; and  those  countries,  far  in  advance  of  us  as  they  are  in 
a practical  knowledge  of  the  question,  are  still  occupied  in  ascertain- 
ing new  facts,  in  developing  new  theories,  and  in  establishing  new 
principles  for  carrying  forward  these  great  and  beneficent  objects  of 
reform  in  the  government  of  human  life.  In  England,  at  this  mo- 
ment, its  principal  city  being  far  in  advance  of  the  sanitary  condition 
of  the  principal  city  on  this  continent,  millions  are  being  expended 
for  the  purpose  of  improving  the  public  health  of  London.  Very  large 
sums  have  recently  been  appropriated  by  the  government  of  England 
to  improve  the  drainage  of  that  city.  Now,  sir,  the  principle  of 
drainage,  in  its  operation  upon  the  health  of  the  inhabitants  of  popu- 
lous cities,  and  as  affecting  the  duration  of  human  life,  is  yet  in  its 
infancy  in  this  country ; we  scarcely  know  anything  about  *it  as  a 
scientific  principle  in  the  management  of  cities.  New  York, — the  city 
where  I make  my  home,  and  of  which  I am  one  of  the  representa- 
tives upon  this  floor,  — New  York  is  behind  almost  every  other  city 
in  the  practical  operation  of  this  principle  of  drainage,  which  lies  at 
the  very  source  of  many  of  the  most  serious  evils  which  afflict  popu- 
lous communities.  In  the  city  of  London  the  ratio  of  mortality  is 
one  to  forty-five,  annually;  in  New  York  it  is  one  to  thirty-six;  a 
vast  disparity,  and  a most  alarming  evil.  The  city  of  London  is 
placed  by  nature  in  a situation  where  its  health  might  naturally  be 
affected  by  surrounding  circumstances, — but  the  hand  of  science  has 
brought  the  remedy.  In  New  York,  nature  has  exhausted  all  her  re- 
sources in  developing  a local  position  and  local  accessories  which 
should  tend  to  make  that  city  the  most  healthy  in  the  world ; yet  how 
far  it  is  behind  the  cities  of  Europe  in  regard  to  health,  simply 
because  its  authorities  have  neglected  to  apply  the  discoveries  of 
science  to  the  practical  purposes  of  human  government. 

This  is  not  a local,  but  a national  question ; and  when  I speak  of 
one  city,  I mention  it  only  as  a type  of  the  rest.  • Instead  of  shutting 
our  eyes  to  the  experience  and  exertions  of  scientific  men.  of  other 
countries,  we  ought  to  stand  here  and  admire  and  applaud  the  philan- 
thropists of  Europe,  who  have  led  this  crusade  against  disease  and 
death  for  our  benefit  as  well  as  their  own.  There  are  men  in  England 
who  have  devoted  the  better  part  of  their  lives  to  the  elucidation  of 
the  mysteries  of  this  theory  of  sanitary  government.  In  Boston,  a 
place  which  commands  my  warmest  regard,  for  so  many  things  which 
make  it  a proud  and  noble  city,  the  government  is  far  in  advance  of 
many  others  of  our  principal  cities.  I have  seen  so  much  to  admire 
here,  sir,  in  my  brief  visit,  that  I scarcely  know  where  to  begin  in 
expressing  my  commendation  of  the  excellence  of  its  government,  as 
well  as  of  many  other  things,  which  it  would  not  be  proper  for  me 
to  speak  here,  and  at  this  time.  (Applause.) 

In  regard  to  quarantine,  as  a branch  of  the  great  system  of  sanitary 
government,  — the  external  branch  of  it, — we  have  been  misled  for 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


47 


ages  as  to  what  was  necessary  and  proper  to  be  done  in  establishing 
and  maintaining  efficient*  barriers  against  the  introduction  of  infectious 
diseases.  All  the  theories  of  the  past  have  been  not  only  errone- 
ous, but  injurious.  All  our  commercial  cities  ought  to  be  grateful  for 
what  this  Convention  has  already  done,  in  its  previous  sessions ; 
and  in  adopting  the  report  which  lies  before  you,  acknowledgments 
are  justly  due  to  the  intelligent  gentlemen  of  the  Committee  for  what 
they  have  done  towards  illustrating  the  principles  of  this  theory,  and 
thus  giving  us  the  opportunity  and  the  privilege  of  stamping  our 
action  upon  a series  of  intelligent,  judicious,  and  authentic  propositions, 
which,  under  the  guiding  hand  of  Providence,  must  result  in  great 
good  not  only  to  the  present,*  but,  eminently  so,  to  the  future  of  this 
country. 

The  commercial  cities  are  mainly  interested  in  this  branch  of  the 
question.  I hope  that  the  delegates  from  the  interior  States,  which 
do  not  reach  the  ocean,  will  bear  with  us  while  we  treat  this  branch 
of  the  subject,  because  it  harmonizes  thoroughly  and  effectually  with 
the  whole  system.  A perfect  organization  for  the  proper  management 
of  health  and  the  prolongation  of  life  covers  broad  ground.  The  in- 
terior and  the  exterior  States  are  all  interested  in  the  question.  But 
when  we  discuss  what  relates  to  quarantine  simply,  we  must  confine 
it  to  its  operation  upon  the  seaboard.  Every  State  that  has  its  seaport 
upon  the  Atlantic  or  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  open  at  all  seasons  to  the 
commerce  of  the  tropics,  is  deeply  and  especially  interested  in  this 
subject;  and  you,  sir,  [the  First  Vice-President,]  who  so  honorably 
represent  here  a southern  city  and  your  constituents,  are  as  much 
interested  as  we  are  who  represent  northern  communities.  We  have 
much  to  learn  from  each  other  in  regard  to  the  intercourse  between 
the  North  and  the  South,  and  permit  me  to  say  that,  it  is  always  well 
for  us  to  counsel  together.  Until  recently  we  had  been  placed  under 
restrictive  regulations,  which  were  both  unnecessary  and  oppressive, 
not  only  to  all  the  rights  of  the  citizen,  but  to  the  great  interests  of 
commerce.  In  the  noble  bay  of  that  city  where  I live,  in  the  summer 
months  of  past  years,  you  could  have  found  scores, — perhaps  I might 
be  justified  in  saying,  sometimes,  hundreds, — of  vessels  unnecessarily 
retained,  with  crowds  of  men,  women,  and  children,  imprisoned  be- 
tween the  sweltering  decks,  disease  and  death  rife  among  them, 
without  the  power  on  the  part  of  any  public  functionary  to  give  them 
permission  to  leave  the  infected  atmosphere,  and  enjoy  the  benefit  of 
the  free  air  of  the  country,  and  the  society  of  their  friends.  This 
was  one  of  the  great  wrongs  which  grew  out  of  an  erroneous  system 
of  quarantine,  which  confined  the  sick  within  the  circle  of  the  pre- 
vailing infection,  and  thus  increased  and  perpetuated  the  very  evil  it 
was  intended  to  remedy. 

Sir,  all  this  has  been  wrong  in  theory,  doubly  wrong  in  practice ; 
we  have  done  much  to  correct  it ; and  when  this  Report  shall  have 
been  adopted  as  the  foundation  of  a system  methodically  and  carefully 
prepared  for  the  general  government  of  the  question  throughout  the 
country,  then  will  both  commerce  and  humanity  be  enfranchised  and 
set  at  liberty  from  these  wretched  barriers  against  personal  communi- 


48 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


cation,  and  these  oppressions  upon  commerce,  which  have  come  down 
to  us  from  the  dark  ages ; — literally,  from  the  dark  ages , because  I 
defy  any  man,  who  studies  the  history  of  this  question,  to  derive  any 
light  whatever  in  regard  to  the  objects  which  governed  the  authori- 
ties of  Europe,  who  first  adopted  these  restrictions  and  transmitted 
them  to  us.  I therefore  sincerely  hope  that  this  Report  will  be  adopted, 
and  go  forth  to  the  world  as  the  original  action  of  this  body,  so  that 
when  its  beneficial  operation  shall  come  to  be  realized,  the  proper 
credit  may  be  given  to  those  who  have  accomplished  this  triumph  of 
truth  over  error. 

Dr.  Thompson,  of  Ohio.  I so  deeply  sympathize  with  the  gentle- 
man who  has  just  addressed  the  Convention  on  this  subject,  that  I 
cannot  forbear  making  mention  of  my  feelings.  Though  residing  in 
the  interior,  and  away  from  the  seaboard,  I feel  an  interest  and  a sym- 
pathy in  this  subject  which  compel  me  to  speak  on  the  present 
occasion. 

There  are  elements  entering  into  the  unhealthiness  of  the*  city  of 
New  York  which  probably  may  not  be  generally  understood.  I refer 
to  a disease  which  we  know  well  at  the  West,  and  which  I know  to 
be  carried  to  the  East,  because  of  having  investigated  the  facts.  It  is 
a disease  which  is  called  by  farmers  “the  trembles/'  among  animals, 
and  the  “milk  sickness/’  when  it  exists  among  human  beings.  This 
disease  is  transmissible  from  one  end  of  the  earth  to  the  other.  As 
far  as  commerce  can  carry  the  milk,  butter,  and  cheese  which  are  pro- 
duced from  the  animals,  so  far  may  disease  and  death  be  carried. 
Animals  are  carried  from  Illinois  and  Ohio,  and  other  western  States, 
having  the  disease  upon  them,  and  sold  in  the  cattle  markets  of  New 
York.  Sometimes,  on  arriving  at  Albany,  the  cattle  are  found  too  sick 
to  go  further,  and  they  are  sold  to  the  butchers ; and  as  there  are 
bad  men  among  butchers  as  well  as  among  other  classes  of  men,  we 
know  what  «is  the  destination  of  that  beef.  I do  know,  that  from 
the  western  States  beef  has  been  carried  to  market  which  has  pro- 
duced lamentable  results  in  Louisville,  Chicago,  and  elsewhere ; and 
I do  know  that  cattle  dealers  have  sold  animals  in  transitu , upon 
the  western  waters  of  America,  so  sick  of  the  disease  as  to  require  to 
be  hustled  off  to  the  butcher’s  shop  on  a dray ; sold  for  a merely  nomi- 
nal sum,  because  the  owner  knew  they  were  dying. 

I mention  this  as  an  element  likely  to  enter  into  the  unhealthiness 
of  cities,  especially  of  New  York,  which  bears  the  reproach  — I say 
it  with  regret  — of  being  the  most  unhealthy  city  in  the  world.  I 
always  sympathize  with  the  physicians  of  New  York  when  I hear  it 
said  out  West,  as  it  often  is  said,  that  they  are  not  so  successful  in  the 
treatment  of  the  disease  as  we  are.  We  understand  this  disease,  and 
are  able  to  treat  it  with  success;  and  I defy  any  man  in  the  profession 
to  treat  successfully  unless  he  knows  it  thoroughly. 

I trust  I shall  not  be  considered  as  having  intruded  these  remarks 
on  the  Convention  unnecessarily.  I have  spoken  with  a view  simply  to 
rescue  a great  city  from  the  opprobrium  of  furnishing  greater  bills  of 
mortality  than  any  other  city  in  the  world,  and  to  save  the  citizens 
from  the  po\y§r  of  the  diseases  that  are  brought  to  their  doors. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


49 


Dr.  GrRiscOM  called  for  the  reading  of  the  resolutions  embodied  in 
the  Report,  and  they  were  read  by  the  Secretary. 

Dr.  GrRiscOM.  Now,  Mr.  Chairman,  I wish  to  make  one  or  two 
criticisms  upon  the  language  of  this  Report.  So  far  as  the  resolutions 
go,  I cordially  agree  with  them,  and  hope  they  will  be  adopted,  and 
that  the  measures  proposed  will  be  carried  out  fully ; but  I find 
one  or  two  sentences,  which  seem  to  me  to  convey  an  erroneous 
impression,  and  I think  that,  on  the  suggestion,  the  Committee 
will  be  willing  to  modify  them.  At  the  bottom  of  page  six  is  this 
sentence  : “ The  General  Board  of  Health,  instituted  by  an  act  of 
Parliament  in  1848,  persisted  in  repeated  efforts  against  the  quaran- 
tine regulations,  for  plague,  cholera,  and  yellow  fever, — diseases  alike 
in  essence,  modified  by  climate  or  other  circumstances  of  locality,  and 
subject  to  the  same  means  of  control/’  &c.  I should  like  to  know 
what  the  Committee  mean  by  that  phrase,  “alike  in  essence?”  I 
cannot  understand  it,  sir.  If  they  mean  “ alike  in  essence”  patho- 
logically, it  is  opposed  to  my  experience  in  regard  to  those  diseases ; 
if  anything  else  is  meant,  the  meaning  is  not  stated;  and  I should 
like  to  learn  precisely  what  is  intended  to  be  understood  by  that  lan- 
guage. ^ 

Again,  on  page  twenty-nine,  under  the  second  declaration,  it  is  said 
that  “ the  only  diseases  at  present  known,  against  the  introduction  of 
which  general  quarantine  regulations  should  be  enforced,  are  plague, 
yellow  fever,  and  cholera.”  Now  it  is  universally  understood  that 
typhus  fever  and  smallpox  are  also  diseases  requiring  quarantine 
regulation.  I think  these  two  diseases  should  be  included  with 
“plague,  yellow  fever,  and  cholera”  in  that  class.  I hope  the  Com- 
mittee will  consent  to  some  modification  of  the  Report,  to  satisfy  the 
general  impression  of  the  profession  in  regard  to  this  matter. 

Dr.  A.  N.  Bell,  (Chairman  of  the  Committee.)  In  reference  to 
the  first  exception  taken  to  the  Report,  I will  state,  that  ft  was  not  the 
object  of  the  Committee  to  take  up  the  subject  of  quarantine  and 
quarantine  diseases  in  relation  to  pathology,  but  in  relation  to  local 
causes  — these  being  on  general  principles  alike  — in  the  propaga- 
tion of  the  diseases  to  which  quarantine  regulations  should  generally 
apply.  There  are  many  diseases  alike  in  this  respect,  though  not  so 
pathologically.  In  the  same  paragraph,  the  Committee  say  “ that 
protection  from  pestilential  diseases  does  not  consist  in  quarantine 
regulations,  but  in  internal  sanitary  measures ,”  that  is  to  say,  in  mea- 
sures that  have  for  their  object  the  suppression  and  prevention  of 
conditions  without  which  the  diseases  regarded  as  quarantinable 
would  not  exist.  The  Committee  consider  that  these  conditions  apply 
generally  to  those  diseases,  and  are  equally  applicable  to  them  all. 

The  next  exception  is  taken  to  a declaration  under  the  “ Code  of 
Marine  Hygiene.”  In  that,  the  same  idea  is  carried  out,  that  the 
regulations  applying  to  these  three  diseases  may  be  of  the  same 
character, — applying  to  them  all  alike.  In  the  following  period,  “In 
addition  to  these,”  &c.  there  are  specific  regulations  applied  to  typhus 
and  smallpox,  which  are  unnecessary  for  the  other  three.  That  is  the 


50 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


distinction  made  through  the  whole  Report,  that  typhus  fever  and 
smallpox  require  special  regulations. 

Dr.  Griscom.  Undoubtedly  the  sense  intended  is  correct,  but  the 
language  is  very  different,  and  I hope  the  Committee  will  modify  the 
language  so  as  to  express  their  own  meaning.  We  should  not  allow 
this  Report  to  go  forth  subject  to  so  plain  a criticism  as  I have  made 
upon  it,  which  will  certainly  be  made  by  medical  men.  If  they  will 
modify  the  language,  I am  perfectly  willing  to  let  the  matter  rest 
without  further  motion. 

Dr.  Jewell.  I think  the  Committee  are  agreed  to  strike  out  the 
words  “alike  in  essence,”  and  insert  the  words,  “smallpox  and  typhus 
fever,”  as  has  been  suggested. 

Dr.  Bell.  The  Committee  readily  accede  to  the  criticism  of  the 
language  on  page  six,  and  are  willing  that  the  words  to  which  excep- 
tion is  taken  should  be  stricken  out,  as  they  are  not  essential  to  the 
Report.  In  regard  to  that  in  reference  to  page  twenty-nine,  I think 
the  explanation,  that  the  general  regulations  are  not  applicable  to 
typhus  fever  and  smallpox,  will  be  admitted. 

Dr.  La  Roche  moved  to  amend  the  paragraph  on  page  six,  by 
striking  out  the  words  “ diseases  alike  in  essence,  modified  by  climate 
or  other  circumstances  of  locality,  and  subject  to  the  same  means  of 
control,”  and  inserting  the  words,  “ diseases  subject  to  analogous 
means  of  control.” 

Gen.  Mather,  of  New  York.  If  I understand  the  matter,  the 
resolutions  before  this  body  are  precisely  those  printed  in  this  Report, 
as  they  now  stand. 

The  President.  That  is  so. 

Gen.  Mather.  I do  not  rise  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  this 
Report,  or  the  merits  or  objects  of  these  resolutions ; but  I do  rise, 
sir,  to  call  the  attention  of  this  Convention  to  the  peculiar  frame  of 
these  resolutions.  It  does  seem  to  me,  while  I most  cordially  approve 
of  the  object  named  therein,  that  these  resolutions  are  so  framed  as  to 
be  calculated  to  defeat  the  very  object  and  end  aimed  at.  That  may 
seem,  at  first,  rather  a strange  proposition,  but  let  us  look  at  it  a 
moment.  The  first  resolution  is  a resolution  of  direction,  specific  in 
its  nature,  and  restricted  to  a certain  object  and  purpose,  namely,  “ to 
negotiate  with  our  National  Government  or  Department  of  State,  to 
secure,”  — in  what  manner  ? — “by  convention,  or  otherwise,”  — now 
what  ? — “ the  national  and  international  adoption  of  this  code.” 

Now,  sir,  here  is  a matter,  not  only  of  national  legislation  proposed, 
but  here  is  also  a matter  of  grave  diplomacy  with  foreign  govern- 
ments. Is  it  for  a nloment  to  be  supposed  that  a thing  precisely  like 
this  can  be  carried  out,  under  these  circumstances, at  home  or  abroad? 
There  is  no  discretion  to  be  left  to  this  Committee  to  dot  an  i,  or  to 
cross  a t ; but  they  are  to  be  restricted  to  “ this  code.” 

The  same  objection  lies,  in  substance,  to  the  second  resolution.  The 
committee,  whose  appointment  is  there  provided  for,  is  to  be  em- 
powered “ to  confer  with  the  governments  of  their  respective  States, 
for  the  adoption  of,” — what?  Not  of  the  chief  principles  of  this  code, 
— not  of  legislation  calculated  to  secure  the  object  and  end  aimed  at 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


51 


in  this  code,  if  it  can  be  done  in  any  equally  practicable  manner, — 
but  it  is,  specifically,  “ this  code/' 

I believe,  sir,  I have  accomplished  all  I rose  for.  I have  no  amend- 
ment to  propose,  because  I do  not  wish  to  interfere  with  the  work  of 
this  Committee ; but  I would  suggest  to  the  Committee,  if  they  have 
not  thought  of  it  before,  that  they  consider  what  language  they  would 
apply  there  to  reach  the  end  which  they  seek. 

Dr.  Griscom.  I think  that  when  a gentleman  rises  to  address  a 
Convention  like  this,  with  such  suggestions  of  error  in  the  resolutions 
before  it,  and  would  seem  to  have  his  mind  burdened  with  some 
mode  by  which  his  views  can  be  met,  he  should  be  at  least  frank 
enough  to  give  us  some  idea  of  the  language  by  which  the  object 
aimed  at  in  these  resolutions  can  be  attained.  If  the  Committee  were 
to  be  bound,  hand  and  foot,  by  the  terms  of  these  resolutions,  to  go 
for  this  code,  and  nothing  more  nor  less,  and  if  they  could  not  give 
up  a letter  of  it,  though  they  lost  everything,  then,  certainly,  the  lan- 
guage of  the  resolutions  would  be  inappropriate,  and  improper  to  be 
adopted  by  this  Convention,  and  no  one  would  be  willing  to  serve  under 
such  a resolution.  But  I do  not  apprehend  that  such  is  the  design  or 
limit  of  the  resolution,  in  its  language,  even.  If  such  a Committee 
should  be  in  operation,  and  confer  with  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment, and  that  government  should  proceed  to  invite  the  other  na- 
tions of  the  earth  to  a conference,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  the 
adoption  of  an  international  code  of  quarantine,  certainly,  that  com- 
mittee, appointed  by  this  Convention  and  by  the  United  States 
Government,  would  be  at  liberty  to  adopt  so  much  of  that  code  as 
that  Quarantine  Convention  should  be  willing  to  adopt,  without  re- 
stricting themselves  to  this,  in  every  letter. 

I think  there  is  but  little  force  in  the  objection ; and  I think,  if 
there  is,  the  gentleman  who  has  just  addressed  the  house  should  at 
least  present  some  modification  of  the  language  by  which  his  views 
would  be  met. 

Dr.  Anderson,  of  Staten  Island,  in  rising  to  speak  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  these  resolutions,  said : I have  no  verbal  criticism  to  make,  nor  any 
fault  to  find  with  the  pathological  distinctions  in  the  Report  itself.  I 
have  no  objection  to  the  resolutions,  except  so  far  as  they  may  seem 
to  imply  an  indorsement  by  this  Convention  of  the  code  recommended. 
On  looking  over  this  code,  or  declaration  of  principles,  I find  much  to 
which  I am  obliged  to  object.  In  the  first  place,  after  hearing  the 
remarks  of  Gen.  Wetmore,  I supposed  we  were  to  go  on  one  step  fur- 
ther in  the  march  of  reform  which  was  inaugurated  at  the  last  Conven- 
tion, which  met  in  New  York,  — a reform  for  which  we  are  indebted  to 
the  resolution  of  Dr.  Stevens  ; but,  sir,  I think  that  if  we  indorse  all  that 
I find  in  these  declarations,  we  take  a step  backward.  In  making  this 
remark,  I refer  more  particularly  to  that  portion  of  the  Report  on  page 
31,  section  10,  under  the  heading,  “ Measures  relating  to  departure.” 
Instead  of  going  forward  in  the  march  of  progress,  we  return  by  this 
recommendation,  I think,  to  the  system  which  we  now  find  existing 
on  the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean  • and  if  any  American  citizen 
has  had  occasion  to  leave  any  port  on  the  Mediterranean,  he  has 


52  National  Quarantine  Convention. 

learned,  sadly  to  his  inconvenience,  of  the  measures  adopted  there  by 
those  despotic  governments,  which,  as  I understand  this  section,  are 
now  recommended  for  adoption  here.  I was  myself  detained  in  Naples 
five  days,  two  years  ago,  owing  to  my  not  being  acquainted  with  the 
sanitary  regulations  of  that  port.  Knowing  what  the  police  regula- 
tions were,  and  that  it  was  necessary  to  be  on  board  the  steamer  half 
an  hour  before  the  time  of  departure,  I got  my  passport  vised  all  right, 
as  I supposed,  and  within  twenty  minutes  of  the  time  of  departure, 
took  a boat  for  the  steamer.  When  I arrived  there,  I was  met  by  a 
police  officer,  who  said,  “ Where  is  your  passport  ? ” I gave  it  to  him, 
“ You  have  not  got  the  vise  of  the  health  officer.”  “ I did  not  know 
about  that.”  “ That  is  your  misfortune.”  And  there  he  stood  at  the 
gangway,  refusing  to  allow  me  to  go  on  board,  and  I had  the  mortifi- 
cation to  stand  there  and  see  my  friends  sail,  leaving  me  behind.  The 
health  officer  had  been  on  board  and  examined  the  passengers,  and  left  a 
short  time  before  I reached  the  vessel,  and  I had  to  remain  in  Naples 
five  days.  Now  this  appears  to  be  the  course  recommended  by  these 
resolutions.  It  will  be  necessary,  if  this  plan  is  adopted,  to  have  a 
health  officer  appointed  to  visit  every  vessel  departing  from  the 
port.  This  will  never  be  submitted  to.  Why,  sir,  we  are  no  longer 
going  to  submit  to  quarantine  restrictions  on  vessels  arriving.  They 
exist  on  paper  in  New  York,  but  we  all  know  we  have  no  quarantine 
detention  there  now.  Gen.  Wetmore,  and  every  merchant  of  that 
city,  has  experienced  the  immense  change  which  has  taken  place  in 
this  respect  since  the  commencement  of  the  present  administration. 

A few  weeks  since  the  steamer  “ Persia”  arrived,  having  a case  of 
smallpox  on  board,  in  the  person  of  the  ship’s  steward.  The  captain 
informed  the  Deputy  Health  officer  of  the  fact,  and  also  told  him  that 
the  patient  had  been  kept  in  a secluded  part  of  the  ship  since  the 
nature  of  his  disease  was  discovered;  and  that  the  passengers,  of 
whom  there  were  a large  number,  were  entirely  unaware  of  the  ex- 
istence of  the  disease  on  board.  The  course  pursued  in  this  instance 
was  very  different  from  the  former  experience  of  that  vessel  under 
similar  circumstances ; and  I contend,  as  the  instance  is  not  an  ex- 
ceptional one,  that  I am  entirely  justified  in  the  remark  I have  made, 
that  quarantine  in  New  York  is  merely  nominal,  in  comparison  with 
former  years.  The  steamer  was  not  detained,  but  proceeded  at  once 
to  her  wharf,  and  her  passengers  were  allowed  to  go  on  shore  un- 
vaccinated, unwashed,  and  unfumigated.  The  sick  man  was  sent  to 
the  smallpox  hospital  on  Blackwell’s  Island,  and  a physician  from  one 
of  the  city  Dispensaries  visited  the  ship  and  vaccinated  such  of  the 
crew  as  presented  no  evidence  of  having  had  that  operation  performed. 
Now  this,  I think,  was  a judicious  proceeding ; and  it  has  not  been  de- 
monstrated that  it  was  unsafe.  How  different  it  was  from  the  former 
practice  I need  not  state,  for  the  notoriety  of  that  practice  is  world- 
wide. My  objection  to  the  code  here  presented  is,  that,  under  it,  the 
same  abuses  might  be  continued.  It  gives  the  same  discretionary 
power,  which,  in  unscrupulous  hands,  might  lead  to  the  same  corrupt 
practices. 

I want  to  say,  that  I think  it  is  useless  for  the  Convention  to  recom- 


National  Quarantine  Convention.  53 

mend  this  declaration  ; for  our  national  government  will  never  enter- 
tain the  proposition! 

Dr.  Griscom.  They  certainly  never  will  unless  they  are  asked. 

Dr.  Ordronaux.  I believe  it  is  generally  acknowledged  that  the 
spirit  of  this  Deport,  in  its  totality,  is  embodied  in  the  resolutions ; 
and  now,  after  the  amendments  proposed  by  Dr.  Griscom,  and  so  readily 
accepted  by  Dr.  Bell,  the  Convention  has' come  to  vote  upon  the  ulti- 
ma-ratio., which  is,  the  resolutions  appended  to  the  Deport,  embodying 
all  the  soul  and  spirit  of  what  has  gone  before.  Gen.  Mather  has 
taken  an  objection,  in  the  nature,  if  you  please,  of  a general  or  special 
traverse,  to  the  first  resolution,  in  that  it  laid  an  obligation  upon  the 
Convention  to  be  holden  under  the  advisement  of  this  Committee,  and 
the  government,  with  other  governments,  to  adopt  this  code,  specifi- 
cally, and  no  other  • which  would  be  a limitation,  of  course,  without 
right,  since,  there  being  no  authority  to  ordain,  there  can  be  no  obli- 
gation to  obey.  We  can  only  recommend.  A number  of  gentlemen 
who  have  examined  this  resolution,  and  whose  organ,  in  one  sense,  I 
now  am,  have  suggested  to  me  an  amendment,  which  is  very  brief,  and 
yet,  by  giving  a more  indefinite  character  to  the  phraseology  of  the 
resolution,  may  make  it  more  catholic  in  its  spirit,  and  more  accept- 
able to  all  nations.  It  is  this : that  in  the  last  line  of  the  resolution 
(the  first)  the  provision  “ this  ” be  stricken  out,  and  the  article  “ a ” 
introduced,  with  the  addition  of  the  words,  “ based  upon  the  princi- 
ples hereinbefore  set  forth,”  — so  that  it  shall  read,  “ the  national  and 
international  adoption  of  a code  based  upon  the  principles  hereinbe- 
fore set  forth,”  — allowing,  of  course,  the  Convention  that  shall  sit  to 
determine  upon  this  subject,  to  apply  those  principles  which  are  con- 
tained in  this  code,  to  interpret  them  and  translate  them  into  language 
of  their  own,  which  shall  seem  most  fit  to  themselves.  This  amend- 
ment would  require  that  a similar  one  should  be  made  in  the  second 
resolution. 

Mr.  Mather.  Will  the  gentleman  allow  me  to  ask  whether  the 
insertion  of  the  four  words  “ of  the  general  principles,”  before  the 
words  “ of  this  code,”  in  both  resolutions,  would  not  meet  the  objec- 
tion ? 

Dr.  Ordronaux.  I feel  great  diffidence  in  differing  from  a gentle- 
man older  than  myself,  but  I have  an  intuitive  logical  sense,  which  in 
this  instance  is  assisted  by  Dr.  La  Boche,  that  my  phraseology  is  the 
best,  and  therefore  I must  hold  to  it. 

The  amendment  to  the  first  resolution  was  accepted  by  the  Commit- 
tee, and  the  phraseology  of  the  second  was  changed  so  that  it  should 
read,  “ for  the  adoption  of  such  a code,”  and  the  resolutions  were  then 
adopted. 

Dr.  Griscom,  from  the  Business  Committee,  reported  the  following 
resolutions  : — 

1.  Resolved , That  the  Deport  of  Dr.  Guthrie,  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Poisons,  &c.,  be  published  in  the  Transactions  of  this  Con- 
vention, without  the  Appendix. 


54 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


2.  Resolved , That  this  Committee  deem  it  inexpedient  to  recommend 
any  action  by  this  Convention  on  the  subject  of  the  disease  known  as 
“ Pleuro-Pneumonia,”  said  to  be  prevalent  among  cattle. 

3.  Resolved , That  the  Report  on  Civic  Cleanliness  be  recommended 
to  the  Convention  for  adoption  and  publication  in  the  Transactions, 
and  that  the  Secretary  be  authorized  to  transmit  a copy  of  the  Report, 
and  a separate  copy  of  the  Memorial  appended  thereto,  to  the  authori- 
ties of  every  incorporated  city  in  the  United  States. 

4.  Resolved.  That  the  Report  of  Dr.  Snow  on  Registration  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Convention  for  consideration,  and  recommended  for  adop- 
tion and  publication  in  the  Transactions  of  the  Convention. 

5.  Resolved , That  a Committee  be  appointed  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  expediency  of  a permanent  organization  of  this  Convention, 
to  be  called  the  “ American  Sanitary  Association,”  to  report  at  the 
next  meeting ; and,  if  favorable  thereto,  to  present  a'  plan  of  organi- 
zation. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Griscom,  it  was 

Voted , That  the  resolutions  be  taken  up  seriatim. 

The  first  and  second  resolutions  were  then  adopted. 

The  question  then  being  on  the  adoption  of  the  third  resolution,  in 
reference  to  the  Report  on  Civic  Cleanliness,  Dr.  Griscom  said  : — 

This  Report,  a single  copy  of  which  was  presented  by  my- 
self yesterday  morning,  has  now  arrived,  and  is  in  the  hands  of 
the  members  of  the  Convention.  I am  happy  to  say  that  the  Chair- 
man of  the  Committee,  who  has  drawn  this  admirable  Report,  arrived 
this  morning,  and  is  now  in  the  Convention.  I have  the  pleasure  of 
introducing  Lieut.  E.  L.  Yiele. 

Lieut.  Viele.  Mr.  President:  In  regard  to  the  brief  report  which 
has  been  submitted  by  myself  in  behalf  of  this  Committee  on  Civic 
Cleanliness,  I have  simply  to  say  that  the  importance  of  the  subject 
entitles  it  to  the  earnest  consideration  of  the  members  of  the  Con- 
vention, and  I hope  that  the  Report  will  not  go  to  the  Publication 
Committee  without  first  receiving  attention.  I have  labored  at  it,  sir, 
and  I have  come  up  to  this  Convention  feeling  very  deeply  the  gravity 
and  importance  of  the  facts  with  regard  to  civic  cleanliness  which  have 
come  before  my  notice.  I am  satisfied,  sir,  that  all  the  barriers  of 
law  and  art  that  we  may  erect,  for  the  purpose  of  enforcing  a system 
of  quarantine  regulations,  would  be  utterly  useless  unless  we  first,  by 
cleaning  our  cities,  prepare  them  against  the  invasion  of  disease.  (Ap- 
plause.) I am  satisfied  that  sanitary  science  is  more  important  than 
any  other  subject  which  can  bring  together  so  intelligent  a body  of 
men,  and  as  a number  of  our  large  cities  are  represented  here  by  their 
civil  authorities,  by  the  honorable  executives  of  their  several  govern- 
ments, I hope  that  they  will  bear  back  with  them  the  force  of  the 
facts  which  have  been  presented,  and  which  I trust  will  be  added  to 
by  the  individual  experience  of  the  different  members  of  the  Con- 
vention. 

I wish,  if  there  is  any  word  in  this  Report  which  cannot  be  sub- 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


55 


stantiated  in  the  experience  of  every  individual  who  has  given  any 
attention  to  the  subject,  that  objections  will  be  offered.  I sincerely 
hope  that  the  facts  set  forth  may  be  added  to  in  extenso,  may  be 
greatly  multiplied,  for  it  is  by  the  multiplication  of  these  facts  that 
we  secure  the  weapons  with  which,  as  reasoning  men,  we  are  to  go 
forward  and  combat  the  error,  and  ignorance,  and  prejudice  of  the 
great  mass  of  our  fellow-citizens.  Such  is  the  ignorance  on  this 
matter,  even  among  men  otherwise  intelligent,  that  it  is  almost  impos- 
sible for  stringent  sanitary  regulations  to  be  carried  out  in  the  most 
elegant  thoroughfares  of  our  most  splendid  cities.  If  this  is  the  case 
with  the  higher  classes  of  the  community,  the  men  of  wealth,  who  as- 
sume to  be  of  superior  intelligence,  what  can  we  expect  from  the  mass 
of  men,  whose  natural  instincts,  unassisted  by  education,  have  not  led 
them  to  give  any  attention  to  this  subject?  Sir,  we  must  first  educate 
our  men  of  intelligence  in  this  matter,  and  then  we  can  educate  the 
masses,  who  may  lack  their  intelligence.  It  is  with  that  end  in  view 
that  this  Report  has  been  drawn,  and  I hope  that  this  Convention  will 
not  adjourn  without  some  practical  result;  something  that  will  tell, 
within  twelve  months,  at  the  furthest.  Let  us  begin'  now.  We  are 
here  in  this  good  city  of  Boston,  on  the  eve  of  celebrating  those  great 
events  which  ushered  in  the  dawn  of  a great  political  revolution.  The 
action  of  this  Convention  ought  to  be  looked  upon  in  the  future  as  the 
dawn  of  a greater  moral  revolution,  the  influence  of  which  will  be  felt 
by  all  the  generations  that  are  to  come  after  us,  and  to  which  a monu- 
ment may  well  be  erected,  if  we  only  take  hold  of  the  matter  in  that 
spirit  of  patriotism  which  the  occasion  demands.  It  is  idle  to  talk, 
and  to  write  reports,  unless  we  individually  determine  that  when  we 
return  to  our  homes  we  will  insist  upon  it  that  this  subject  shall  be  in- 
vestigated by  the  civil  authorities,  and  that  they  shall  report,  that  the 
people  may  know  what  dangers  surround  them,  and  then  they  will  be 
determined  that  this  utter  filthiness  of  civic  communities  shall  cease. 
Only  in  one  or  two  instances  where  cities  have  become  large,  have 
these  evils  been  developed ; but  we  must  remember  that  this  is  a 
growing  country,  that  we  are  spreading  so  fast  that  there  is  scarcely 
time  to  prepare  ourselves  against  the  evils  which  accumulate  so 
rapidly.  We  have  only  to  look  back  a very  few  years  to  see  insignifi- 
cant villages  and  hamlets  grown  into  large  cities,  almost  ruined  by  the 
want  of  proper  sanitary  regulations.  Thirty-five  years  ago,  Mr. 
Webster,  referring  to  the  rapid  increase  of  our  population,  exclaimed, 
“ Our  two  millions  are  increased  to  twelve  millions  ! ” It  seems  but 
yesterday.  Yet  those  twelve  millions  are  now  thirty-two  millions. 
Think  of  it ! And  the  great  bulk  of  that  increase  is  in  our  cities. 
How  necessary  is  it,  then,  that  we  should  prepare  for  that  future,  that 
is  coming  on  so  fast,  that  to-morrow  might  almost  be  regarded  as 
to-day  ! We  have  no  time  to  lose.  These  facts  which  have  been  col- 
lected should  be  amplified,  and  spread  broadcast  through  the  com- 
munity. 

I have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  I consider  this  the  subject  of  this 
Convention,  and  we  ought  not  to  separate  without  feeling  ourselves  in- 
dividually responsible  for  the  practical  results  to  come  out  of  it. 
(Applause.) 


56 


Notional  Quarantine  Convention . 


Dr.  Jewell.  I indorse,  as  a sanitarian,  every  word  that  the  author 
of  this  Report  has  said.  I go  further,  and  say  what  he  only  hinted 
at,  that  this  is  the  Report  of  the  Convention, — that  in  this  Report  are 
contained  all  the  principles  which  should  and  whicl*  will  guide  this 
Sanitary  Convention  in  the  future.  Though  my  idol  in  this  matter 
has  been  Quarantine,  I have  never  lost  sight  of  the  fact  that  the  day 
would  arrive  when  the  sanitary  question  itself  would  become  the  great 
question  of  the  day.  But,  sir,  I have  been  anticipated  by  the  intelli- 
gent reports  which  have  been  presented  at  the  last  and  present  Con- 
vention on  internal  hygiene.  I did  not  look  forward  until  years 
should  elapse  for  the  time  to  arrive  when  the  Quarantine  Convention 
would  be  ready  to  resolve  itself  into  a Sanitary  Convention.  I had 
long  felt  that  if  I could  only  bring  the  question,  in  some  shape  or  other, 
before  the  people,  their  eyes  would  be  opened  to  the  great  impor- 
tance of  the  subject,  and  they  would,  in  the  course  of  time,  reach 
the  great  point  which  I conceive  has  been  reached  in  the  four  years 
of  our  conventional  meetings. 

Sir,  I have  said  that  I have  never  lost  sight  of  the  great  question  of 
sanitary  reform.  * As  a medical  man,  I have  always  entertained  the  idea 
that  the  great  mission  of  the  medical  profession  of  these  United  States, 
and  of  the  world,  is  not  to  cure  disease,  but  to  prevent  disease.  (Ap- 
plause.) And  when  we  carry  out  the  principles  which  the  author  of 
this  Report  has  so  intelligently  laid  down,  we  shall  not  have  to  combat 
with  disease,  but  our  attention  will  be  directed  to  the  removal  of  those 
causes  that  appertain  to  the  introduction  and  the  propagation  of  the 
various  epidemic  and  endemic  diseases  of  our  country.  That  is  the 
great  question. 

There  are  one  or  two  points  in  this  Report  to  which  I wish  par- 
ticularly to  call  the  attention  of  this  Convention,  though  there 
is  no  time  to  go  into  particulars.  The  whole  Report*  is  before  us.  Let 
it  be  read, — let  it  be  read  attentively, — with  the  understanding  that 
we  are  to  circulate  it.  Let  each  delegate  make  up  his  mind,  that  when 
he  returns  to  his  home,  he  will  circulate  this  Report  among  the  mem- 
bers of  the  medical  profession  and  among  intelligent  laymen,  and  not 
rest  there,  but  endeavor  to  do  what  New  York  has  done,  — organize 
a Sanitary  Convention  in  his  city,  not  among  the  medical  profession 
only,  for  this  is  not  alone  a medical  question,  but  among  the  laymen  of 
our  cities,  among  those  benevolent  individuals  who  are  always  active  in 
promoting  the  health  and  welfare  of  mankind.  By  adopting  such  a 
course  we  shall  awaken  the  slumbering  energies  of  municipal  bodies  to 
this  question,  and  thus  we  shall  enter,  in  extenso , upon  the  great  ques- 
tion that  is  before  us. 

I said  I wished  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Convention  particularly 
to  one  or  two  subjects,  and  they  are  as  follows : the  offal  of  our  cities, 
the  paving  of  our  cities,  and  the  sewage  of  our  cities.  Three  great 
defects  in  the  construction  and  management  of  our  municipal  regula- 
tions are  contained  in  these  three  departments  of  hygiene.  It  is  to 
this  subject  that  I wish  particularly  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Con- 
vention. They  are  important  matters,  but  they  are  not  detailed  in 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


57 


full,  for  it  was  not  necessary  they  should  he.  It  was  only  necessary  to 
direct  attention  to  the  great  principles  which  I contend  should  be 
carried  out  minutely  by  those  who  take  up  these  questions  separately. 

I will  not  detain  the  Convention  further  than  to  express  the  great 
pleasure  I feel  in  knowing  that  I have  started  this  movement,  and 
that  it  is  now  in  the  hands  of  those  who  are  ready  to  carry  it  forward 
to  perfection.  (Applause.) 

l)r.  Bell.  Associated  as  I have  been  with  the  originator  of  this 
Convention,  here  assembled  for  the  fourth  time,  who  has  seen  the 
question  of  Quarantine,  which  he  has  said  has  been  his  idol,  brought 
to  a successful  termination  in  his  own  hands,  and  to  his  own  honor, 
and  finding  him  so  willing  to  resign  it,  and  say,  as  he  has  said,  that 
he  will  be  one  of  the  foremost  in  the  agitation  of  the  question  of  civic 
cleanliness,  and  knowing-  that  there  are  persons  here  who  could  not 
sleep  the  first  night  in  Boston,  without  going  down  into  the  abodes  of 
poverty,  and  into  the  tenement-houses,  to  find  how  many  children  have 
been  born  and  how  many  have  died,  and  many  other  facts,  and  bring 
them  all  into  detail  for  future  use,  — knowing  these  things,  I say,  I 
know  something  of  the  spirit  of  the  sanitarians  engaged  in  this  move- 
ment, first  originated  by  the  gentleman  who  has  just  sat  down. 

It  has  been  my  humble  part  to  be  associated  with  him  in  recom- 
mending a code,  not  to  be  submitted  to  the  port  of  Boston  alone,  or  to 
any  one  city  or  number  of  cities,  but  to  the  universe,  — a code  of 
international  hygiene,  based  on  those  principles  which  will  bear 
equally  on  debarkation  as  on  embarkation  • for  that  selfish  barbarism 
which  has  heretofore  characterized  our  quarantine  regulations,  which 
has  said  to  other  countries,  “ You,  with  your  diseases,  cannot  come 
here,  while  we  i%serve  to  ourselves  the  liberty  of  sending  our  diseases 
to  you,”  has  been  destroyed  by  the  adoption  of  this  Report.  These 
are  the  principles  which  are  also  embodied  in  the  Report  on  Civic 
Cleanliness.  Indeed,  the  two  reports  go  together  save  only  some  few 
corrections,  which  I think  others  may  suggest  here,  but  in  words 
which  I hope  will  give  greater  force. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  I rise  to  bear  my  testimony  to  the  great  importance 
of  these  sanitary  efforts,  and  to  suggest  a change  in  the  memorial, 
which  I think  will  add  to  it  more  force.  I make  the  suggestion  simply 
upon  this  basis ; and  that  I may  be  understood,  I will  suggest  an  alteration 
on  page  41,  in  the  “ Form  of  Memorial.”  In  the  fifth  line  of  that 
memorial,  I move  to  strike  out  the  word  “ petition,”  and  substitute  the 
word  “ recommend,”  so  that  it  will  read,  “ most  respectfully  recom- 
mend,” etc.  I do  this,  sir,  because  I feel  that  this  Convention  is  a 
pioneer  association  ; that  we  are  manufacturing  public  opinion;  we  are 
not  following  in  the  track  of  what  has  been  before,  but  we  are  leading 
public  opinion,  and  calling  public  attention  to  matters  of  vital  interest 
and  importance  to  the  health  of  the  community.  Therefore,  when  we 
go  to  cities  to  recommend  to  them  the  appointment  of  committees,  we 
ought  not  to  go  as  petitioners,  but  as  a scientific  body,  recommending 
what  we  have  discussed,  and  feel  to  be  right  and  proper.  I propose  it 
simply  on  that  ground,  and  would  be  happy  if  the  chairman  would 
accept  that  verbal  alteration. 

8 


58 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


Lieut.  Viele.  I do  not  accept  the  amendment.  If  I should  recom- 
mend the  gentleman  to  go  to  the  dinner  to-morrow,  it  would  be  a very 
different  thing  from  entreating  him  to  go.  We  do  not  recommend we 
beg  them,  we  pray  them  to  do  it. 

Aid.  Clapp,  of  Boston.  Mr.  President : My  name  happens  to  be 
connected  with  this  Report,  as  one  of  the  Committee.  I have  had  no 
opportunity  to  examine  it,  (through  no  fault  of  the  chairman,)  until 
within  the  last  few  minutes ; but  I wish  to  say  that,  for  one,  I rejoice 
to  see  it,  and  if  the  Convention  will  indulge  me  one  moment,  I will 
give  them  the  reasons  why. 

About  a year  since,  I chanced  to  be  chosen  as  one  of  the  aldermen 
of  Boston,  and  I was  placed  upon  its  Committee  on  Drainage,  and 
placed  there  as  its  chairman.  The  matter  was  then  to  me  a new  sub- 
ject; but  as  I went  into  the  study  of  it,  it  opened  before  me,  and 
became  very  interesting.  I found  that  it  enlarged  upon  my  hands, 
and  my  spring  and  summer  reading,  I might  almost  say,  was  exclu- 
sively upon  that  subject.  The  more  I looked  at  it,  the  more,  I must 
say,  was  I distressed  at  the  condition  of  things  which  I found  in  our 
beloved  city  of  Boston.  A gentleman  here  has  spoken  of  this 
“ cleanly”  city  of  Boston.  In  olden  times  it  was  so,  but  gentlemen 
will  bear  in  mind  that  the  old  city  of  Boston  is  one  thing,  and  the 
new  city  of  Boston  is  another  thing.  The  old  city  of  Boston  occupies 
one  square  mile,  the  new  city  of  Boston  occupies  another  square  mile, 
and  that  has  been  reclaimed  from  the  tidewater,  and  it  has  only  been 
filled  up  some  twelve,  thirteen,  fourteen,  fifteen,  or  sixteen  feet  above 
low  tide ; consequently,  as  gentlemen  may  see,  the  common  sewers 
have  been  built  to  go  almost  at  a dead  level,  and  the  low  tide  finds  its 
way  into  them.  Well,  what  is  the  consequence?  This  consequence  is 
the  most  disastrous  of  anything  that  can  exist  on  the  face  of  the 
earth ; or,  at  least,  if  there  is  anything  more  disastrous,  I have  yet  to 
learn  what  it  is.  It  is  for  that  reason  that  I have  wished  that  this 
question  should  be  brought  home,  not  only  to  this  Convention,  but  to 
all  conventions,  and  all  communities  which  have  at  heart  the  welfare 
and  prosperity  of  the  people.  (Applause.) 

In  looking  at  this  subject  in  the  reports  abroad,  I find  that  the  very 
first  minds  of  the  English  government  have  gone  into  it,  and  gone 
into  it  thoroughly.  They  have  taken  it  up  in  every  possible  way,  and 
we  have  the  results  of  their  investigations  presented  for  our  benefit. 
I do  not  pretend  to  go  into  that.  The  gentleman  from  Philadelphia 
has  alluded  to  the  subject  of  the  offal  of  cities;  and  on  that  subject  I 
will  say,  that  the  London  Times  has  quoted  a letter  from  Liebig,  in 
which  he  takes  the  ground,  that  the  grain-growing  countries  of  Europe 
could  not  maintain  themselves  without  resorting  to  the  sewage  of  large 
cities  to  fertilize  their  land.  But  wbat  are  we  doing  ? We  are  spend- 
ing thousands  of  dollars  annually  to  waste,  and  worse  than  waste,  this 
valuable  material  in  our  sewers.  What  is  the  consequence  ? It 
returns  back  upon  us  as  poison,  and  a large  proportion  of  our  popula- 
tion are  suffering,  dying,  by  'the  poisons  generated  from  this  refuse, 
which  is  simply  out  of  place.  It  has  been  said,  that  “a  weed  is  only 
a plant  out  of  place.”  So  it  is  with  the  ammonia  in  night-soil  and 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


59 


urine.  I find  that  in  the  reports  in  Europe,  fhey  propose  to  save  this, 
and  return  it  to  the  land.  I have  been  preaching  this  doctrine  to  will- 
ing and  to  unwilling  ears,  but  mostly,  I am  sorry  to  say,  to  the  latter ; 
and'  I am  very  glad  to  find  that  there  are  ears  here  willing  to  listen  to 
this  subject,  and  I thank  Grod  and  take  courage  (applause),  that  there 
is  a willingness  to  look  this  question  in  the  face ; for  I look  upon  it  as 
a great  moral  question,  and  one  that  demands  that  it  shall  be  taken 
up  and  treated  as  a question  “relating,  not  only  .to  the  physical  and 
material  condition”  of  the  race,  but  also  to  the  moral  condition  of  the 
race ; because  we  must  have  “ a sound  mind  in  a sound  body,”  and 
you  cannot  have  a sound  body,  unless  you  pay  attention  to  all  the 
necessary  conditions.  I have  no  doubt  in  my  own  mind  of  the  im- 
portance of  this  subject-matter.  I had  the  pleasure  of  reading,  a 
short  time  since,  a paper  which  came  before  the  Sanitary  Association 
of  New  York,  and  in  that  paper  the  author  takes  the  ground  that  half 
the  deaths  on  the  surface  of  the  globe  are  occasioned  by  fevers,  and 
that  fevers  are  occasioned  by  the  impure  state  of  the  atmosphere,  by 
the  miasma  that  arises  from  the  soil,  from  bad  drains,  from  damp 
cellars,  in  short,  from  all  those  causes  which  exist  where  the  necessary 
conditions  regarding  health  have  not  been  attended  to. 

But  I have  said  more  than  I intended,  and  merely  to  call  attention 
to  this  subject,  in  the  hope  that  it  may  be  taken  up  and  considered  in 
all  quarters  of  the  globe,  — for  there  is  no  place  where  the  condition 
of  things  does  not  imperatively  demand  that  it  should  be  considered, 
and  a remedy  properly  applied. 

Dr.  OkdronauX}  of  New  York.  Mr.  President : I have  no  re- 
marks to  make  upon  the  Report,  for  I do  not  think  it  necessary  to 
paint  the  lily  or  perfume  the  violet.  The  Report  is  perfect.  But 
amongst  a number  of  gentlemen  present, — and  most  of  us  are,  in  one 
sense,  theoretical  sanitarians,  — I see  before  me  the  American  Chad- 
wick, the  American  Sanitary  Practitioner,  who  explores,  night  and  day, 
the  purlieus  of  city  life,  and  embodies  in  statistics  the  results  of  those 
observations. 

I now  take  pleasure  in  introducing  to  the  Convention,  nolens  volens 
to  himself,  Mr.  Samuel  B.  Halliday,  of  New  York. 

Samuel  B.  Halliday,  of  New  York.  Mr.  President : I shall  not 
take  the  time  of  the  Convention  with  any  extended  remarks.  I may 
say,  sir,  that  I am  most  heartily  glad  that  this  subject  has  been  in- 
troduced in  such  a manner,  by  this  Report ; and  I concur  very  readily 
with  the  remarks  which  Dr.  Jewell  has  made.  For  many  years 
my  attention  has  been  directed,  very  much,  to  the  habits^  customs, 
and  conditions  — domiciliary  conditions  especially  — of  the  poor  in 
our  large  cities.  I have  investigated  the  matter,  somewhat,  in  the  city 
of  New  York.  When  I came  to«Boston,  I wanted  to  ascertain  as  far 
as  possible,  in  the  few  moments  I could  spare,  what  there  was  here 
analogous  to*our  condition  in  New  York. 

I am  sorry,  sir,  that  Boston,  in  some  particulars  is  so  much 
like  New  York.  And  if  Gren.  Wetmore  had  been  with  myself 
and  my  friend,  Dr.  Bell,  last  night,  he  would,  perhaps,  have 
been  less  lavish  in  his  praises.  Within  two  minutes’-  walk  of  this 


60  National  Quarantine  Convention. 

beautiful  hall  where  we*are  to-day,  Boston  rivals  the  Five  Points.  I 
am  sorry  it  is  so.  I have  here,  sir,  in  four  columns  of  foolscap,  the 
census  of  a single  house,  but  a few  squares  from  the  place  where 
we  are  met,  containing  apartments  for  seventy-four  families.  I 
have  the  age  of  every  man,  woman,  and  child  in  those  seventy- 
four  families.  I have,  also,  the  number  of  deaths  of  children  that 
have  occurred  in  those  families,  with  the  ages  of  those  children 
at  the  period  of  their  deaths.  I have,  also,  the  number  of  still-births 
that  have  occurred  in  those  families.  That  whole  establishment,  sir, 
is  equivalent  to  our  “Barracks,”  on  Cherry  Street,  in  New  York,  a 
spot  which  we  regard  as  one  of  the  worst  possible  in  our  city.  Every- 
thing about  that  building,  sir,  is  abominable.  There  is  not  an  apart- 
ment in  it  that  by  any  possibility  can  ever  be  ventilated.  The  bed- 
rooms, in  which  those  families  sleep,  are  entirely  excluded  from  the 
light  and  air,  except  as  these  are  admitted  by  a single  door  into  the 
bedroom.  The  water-closets  of  that  place  the  gentlemen  of  Boston 
would  not  turn  their  dogs  or  pigs  into.  And  these  are  the  conditions 
of  the  life  of  human  beings  in  our  great  cities  of  New  York  and 
Boston  ! Dr.  Jewell  said  to  me,  there  are  no  such  places  in  Philadel- 
phia. I think  I can  find  them  there. 

Dr.  Jewell.  Come  there,  sir,  and  find  them  out. 

Gen.  Wetmore.  Mr.  Halliday,  Boston,  rely  upon  it,  has  so  many 
good  points,  it  can  even  bear  to  have  you  unveil  that  one. 

Mr.  Halliday.  Mr.  President,  I did  not  expect  to  be  called  upon 
to  give  results,  at  all.  I "made  these  minutes  not  expecting  to  use 
them  until  I reached  home.  I feel  that  this  subject  is  not  impor- 
tant to  New  York  and  Boston  alone.  I was  looking  at  it  in  a 
national  point  of  view.  One  gentleman  has  alluded  to  the  fact  of 
the  great  increase  in  our  cities.  I had  the  curiosity,  the  other 
day,  to  run  over  some  statistics,  very  hastily,  for  the  purpose  of 
developing  that  point.  I think  it  will  be  found  that  one  third  the  pop- 
ulation of  this  country  live  in  communities  of  not  less  than  ten  thou- 
sand. I did  not  go  very  critically  into  this,  and  I do  not  wish  to 
allow  my  statement  to  go  out  as  having  been  calculated  very  thorough- 
ly. The  families,  I think,  average  about  five  souls  each. 

This  result  I have  ascertained  to  be  true  in  every  particular,  in  the 
city  of  New  York.  I have  said  that  this  is  not  a question  of  merely 
local  interest ; large  communities  abound  throughout  the  length  and 
breadth  of  the  land,  and  they  are  to  continue,  and  will  constantly  in- 
crease in  their  denseness.  We  have  thought  New  York  had  a very 
dense,  crowded  population,  but  it  is  becoming  more  dense  and  crowd- 
ed every  day.  If  the  whole  of  the  city  limits  were  built  upon,  and 
the  same  kind  of  buildings  erected  and  occupied  as  some  that  have 
been  built  within  the  past  few  years,  a population  of  ten  millions 
would  be  domiciled  on  the  Island.  It  is  conceded  that  our  popu- 
lations in  the  cities  must  grow  larger.  It  will  do#so  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  in  all  our  large  cities.  But,  sir,  the  poor  must  live 
in  our  large  cities.  They  must  from  necessity  stay  with  us. 
They  cannot  even  pay  a five-cent  railroad  fare  to  ride  to  the  bet- 
ter portion  of  these  cities.  The  fare  to  and  from  their  places 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


61 


of  employment  would  eat  up  one-third  of  their  earnings,  and  the  cost 
of  transportation,  some  thirty-five  dollars  a year,  would  he  more  than  one 
half  of  what  they  pay  for  their  rent.  You  are  sharper  in  Boston,  than 
we  are  in  ’New  York,  about  the  rent.  Our  landlords  are  satisfied  to  get 
it  once  a month ; in  Boston,  they  get  it  once  a week*  Look  at  the  rent. 
Seventy-five  cents  a week  was  a very  common  price  for  the  tenements 
in  the  building  to  which  I allude,  — in  some  others,  a dollar.  The  rental 
of  this  building  is  about  $4,500  a year  • the  man  who  hires  it  pays. 
$3,000  a year,  and  sub-lets  it.  I see  the  face  of  my  friend  Dr.  Curtis, 
here,  who  informs  me  that,  after  all,  this  building  to  which  I allude  is 
not  the  worst  place  in  Boston,  either. 

Dr.  Curtis,  of  Boston.  I shall  add  but  a few  remarks  to  what  has 
been  said  upon  this  question ; but  it  is  one  so  interesting  to  the  mem- 
bers of  this  Convention  that  I feel,  with  Dr.  Bell,  that  it  presents  to 
us  the  question  for  many  of  our  large  cities.  As  to  the  reference  to 
myself,  by  the  gentleman  who  last  spoke,  I am  compelled  to  admit 
that  the  building  to  which  he  referred  is  not  the  worst  place  we  have 
in  the  city  of  Boston.  But  the  matter  has  been  brought  so  many 
times,  in  various  ways,  to  the  attention  of  the  public  authorities, 
and  oftentimes  before  the  government  of  our  city,  (and  of  other  cities, 
as  well  as  our  own,)  that  it  seems  very  discouraging  indeed  for  those  * 
who  have  labored  long  in  this  matter,  that  so  little  can  be  done.  Why, 
sir,  investigations  of  this  nature  have  brought  to  light  facts  which  pre- 
sent the  municipal  governments  of  our  various  cities  as  displaying  an 
apathy,  in  this  regard,  very  remarkable,  and  not  to  be  accounted  for. 
The  number  of  premature  deaths,  ’ and  the  extent  of  unnecessary 
disease  which  exists,  in  a financial  point  of  view,  or  in  a moral  aspect, 
cannot  very  well  be  exaggerated.  It  has  been  well  stated,  long 
since,  that  if  you  halve  or  quarter  every  item  of  the  results  of  an 
investigation  like  that  made  Ky  the  gentleman  preceding  me,- — if 
it  is  an  extensive  one,  — you  will  still  leave  the  greatest  expose 
of  municipal  extravagance,  in  allowing  this  matter  to  remain  as  it 
is,  that  ever  yet  was  made  known  to  a civic  community.  Now,  I be- 
lieve that  sanitation,  and,  especially,  upon  those  “ sores  On  the  body 
politic, ” — our  large  cities,  — a cardinal  consideration  for  this  Con- 
vention. 

My  friend,  Dr.  Jewell,  said  he  had  reflected  upon  the  matter,  and 
supposed  the  time  had  hardly  come  when  that  should  be  the  primary 
motive  of  this  body.  But  such  is  not  the  case,  in  my  opinion.  Ten 
years  ago  I conceived  the  idea  of  establishing  a National  Sanitary  As- 
sociation, and  reflected  much  upon  it.  Quarantine,  it  is  true,  has  its 
important  bearing,  but  I consider  it  as  simply  one  of  the  subdivisions 
of  the  great  question ; and  when  facts  come  to  us  which  probably 
will  be  presented  by  the  reports  of  such  an  association  as  this,  we 
shall  find  that  a larger  amount  of  life  may  be  saved,  a larger 
amount  of  crime  prevented,  and  a larger  amount  of  expense  avoid- 
ed in  our  cities,  than  by  investigations  upon  any  other  point  what- 
ever. Our  English  neighbofs  have  already  carried  this  matter 
to  a very  great  extent,  and,  as  my  friend  states,  it  has  engaged  the 
minds  of  the  principal  physicians  and  statesmen  of  the  Old  World, 


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National  Quarantine  Convention . 


especially  in  England,  where  they  have  the  help  of  their  town  asso- 
ciations, their  building  associations,  their  public  bath-houses,  their 
wash-houses,  and  so  forth.  Professor  Guy,  of  King’s  College,  stated 
that  the  sanitary  reform  question  was  the  question  of  the  day,  and, 
in  various  pointy  forcibly  urged  the  conclusion  thus  enunciated. 
One  venerable  gentleman  from  the  city  of  my  friend,  Dr.  Jewell, 
stated,  more  than  half  of  a century  ago,  that  he  believed  the 
time  would  come,  in  view  of  our  power  over  the  prevention  and 
the  removal  of  disease  by  prophylactic  measures,  including  the 
requirement,  by  city  authorities  that  buildings  should  be  con- 
structed with  reference  to  health  and  life,  as  well  as  to  safety 
from  fire,  when  our  municipal  governments  would  be  indictable  for 
allowing  the  prevalence  of  epidemic  fever  in  the  city.  And  the 
voice  has  come  across  the  water,  from  the  British  Board  of  Health, 
with  some  just  show  of  exultation,  that  the  British  Parliament  is  the 
first  legislative  body  that  has  ever  acted  upon  the  principle  thus 
enunciated  fifty  years  ago  by  the  late  sagacious  Dr.  Bush. 

I have  not  many  remarks  to  add  upon  this  point ; but  I do  feel  an 
earnestness  in  this  matter,  and  I hope  the  members  of  this  Convention 
will  look  at  it  in  its  true  light,  and  see  it  in  its  important  bearings. 
And  as  the  condition  of  various  points  in  Boston  has  been  alluded  to, 
I will  state,  — and  I hope  I shall  not  be  considered  invidious  in 
my  censure,  — that  a Beport  was  handed  to  our  City  Government,  a 
few  years  ago,  in  relation  to  the  'deaths  as  compared  with  the  popula- 
tion in  various  parts  of  the  city,  showing  that  in  different  parts  the 
proportion,  in  contiguous  wards,  *was  as  twenty- three  to  twelve  ; and 
giving  the  reasons  for  this  unnecessary  mortality.  I allude  to  a Beport 
upon  the  mortality  of  Boston,  according  to  the  census  of  1855,  to  which, 
I believe,  our  municipal  government  have  never  taken  any  operative 
heed.  And  that  our  friends  from  New  York  may  not  go  home  without 
knowing  what  has  been  urged  upon  that  point,  I will  say  that  there  are 
a number  of  copies  of  that  Beport  still  left,  and  to-morrow  morning 
they  will  be  found  upon  the  table  below,  for  members  of  the  Con- 
vention who  may  wish  to  peruse  it. 

Mr.  Bailey,  of  Boston.  I have  a few  words  to  say  in  regard  to 
the  Beport  now  under  consideration.  And  I must  say  that  I am  some- 
what disappointed  that  the  Committee  have  touched  the  matter  so 
lightly.  I had  looked  forward,  somewhat,  to  this  meeting,  with  the 
hope  that  we  might  have  some  remedy  laid  before  us,  something 
whereby  we  might  conduct  ourselves  in  the  future.  I must  confess, 
Mr.  Chairman,  that  I did  expect  from  our  able  chairman  some  rem- 
' edy,  some  proposition  as  to  how  far  this  sewerage  should  be  allowed 
to  carry  off  the  filth  of  a large  city,  — whether  everything  should  go 
into  it,  and  make  the  outlets  of  the  sewers  as  they  are.  .The  outlets 
of  some  of  our  sewers  are  so  offensive  that  our  inhabitants  have  to 
come  to  us  and  beseech  us  that  something  may  be  done.  A little  time 
ago  we  had  our  city  besieged  by  the  inhabitants  of  one  portion  of 
our  city,  on.  account  of  the  outlet  of -a  sewer.  For  these  reasons,  I 
had  expected  that  we  should  have  had  something  more  tangible  here, 
some  remedy  for  this  great  occasion  of  disease.  We  have  now  only 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


63 


water-closets,  and  very  few  vaults.  Everything  goes  into  our  sewers. 
As  the  tide  flows  out  from  the  flats,  the  deposits  are  left ; as  the  sun 
comes  up,  the  miasma  arises  ; sickness  and  death  are  the  result.  We 
are  not  able  to  carry  our  outlets  into  deep  water ; our  flats  are  filling 
up,  our  commerce  is  being  taken  away  on  account  of  the  decreasing 
depth  of  our  water ) and  yet  we  allow  this  thing  to  be  touched  upon 
so  lightly  as  it  seems  to  have  been  here.  I do  feel  that  this  is  a very 
important  subject,  and  that  it  is  time  for  the  other  cities  of  our  Union 
— certainly  for  Boston  — to  take  hold  of  this  matter,  and  in  such  a 
way  that  we  may  find  the  remedy. 

Dr.  S.  L.  Condiet,  of  New  Jersey.  I attempted  to  rise,  a moment 
ago,  as  being  the  sole  representative  present  from  Jersey  City,  to  ex- 
press the  very  great  gratification  I enjoy,  in  the  Report  which  I hold  in 
my  hand,  from  this  Committee,  and  to  express  my  high  gratification  at 
the  remarks  of  the  gentleman  from  Boston,  Mr  Clapp,  in  reference  to 
this  subject  of  sewers.  And  I have  been  very  much  surprised  at  the 
remarks  just  made  by  the  gentleman  who  preceded  me,  expressing  his 
disappointment  that  the  Committee  have  made  no  provision  or  recom- 
mendation for  the  future  checking  of  the  great  errors  of  our  system  of 
sewerage.  The  description  the  gentleman  from  Boston  gave  of  the  new 
part  of  this  city,  applies  exactly,  sir,  to  Jersey  City.  It  is  filled  up  al- 
most entirely,  with  the  exception  of  a small  portion  directly  in  the  centre. 
Our  streets  are  built  upon  soil  which  has  been  reclaimed  from  the  river. 
Consequently,  we  are  suffering  there  from  the  same  difficulties  which 
are  found  in  the  new  part  of  the  city  of  Boston  • and  the  same  system 
is  being  pursued  there,  by  our  authorities,  as  here  and  everywhere 
else.  We  have  sewers  laid  upon  an  almost  dead  level ; the  inevitable 
consequence  is,  that  they  fill  up,  and  become  a source  of  disease  and 
pestilence  to  the  whole  community.  The  subject  has  been  often  pre- 
sented to  our  civil  authorities,  and  they  dare  not  go  in  advance  of 
public  sentiment.  And,  as  a general  rule,  civil  authorities  will  never 
go  in  advance  of  public  sentiment,  and  public  sentiment  will  never 
progress  until  it  is  enlightened.  I ejaculate  Amen,  therefore,  to  the 
remarks  of  the  gentleman-  from  Boston,  in  reference  to  this  Report,  as 
emanating  from  a source  which  will  command  the  respect  of  all  our  civil 
authorities.  In  Jersey  City,  in  Newark,  and  in  New  York,  the  time  has 
long  since  passed  when  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  in  the  distribution  or 
the  public  contracts,  have  made  it  anything  more  than  a mere  scram- 
ble for  dollars  and  cents.  But  the  day  is  coming,  sir,  thank  God, 
when  these  venal  officials  will  be  expelled  from  our  halls  of  munic- 
ipal legislation,  or  when  they  will  be  compelled  to  follow  that  course 
in  regard  to  the  health  of  the  people  which  public  sentiment  imper- 
atively demands.  And  if  you  will  only  reaffirm  the  principles  enun- 
ciated, I believe,  in  the  Report  made  a year  ago,  I think  you  will  do 
much  toward  creating  that  sentiment.  In  Jersey  City,  we  boasted  that 
we  had  an  abundant  sifpply  of  pure  water.  But  what  good  did  it  do, 
compared  with  what  it  should  have  done  ? The  poor  people  cannot 
get  access  to  it  in  the  streets,  and  our  pumps  have  all  been  taken  up. 
There  are,  to  be  sure,  in  the  “ tenement-houses  ” a supply  of  faucets, — 
but  our  poor  people  have  no  opportunity  for  bathing.  It  is  impossible 


64 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


for  them  to  be  personally  clean.  And  I hope  the  Report  adopted  by  the 
last  Convention  will  continue  to  be  reaffirmed  from  year  to  year,  until 
our  public  authorities  are  compelled  to  take  some  action  in  reference 
to  it.  For  Heaven’s  sake,  let  us  use  all  our  influence  that  the  poor  may 
be  supplied  with  that  blessing  which  Providence  has  given  to  us  all  in 
such  abundance,  — pure  air,  and  pure  cold  water.  If  the  gentleman 
who  made  the  complaint  just  now,  in  regard  to  this  Report,  will  look 
upon  page  thirty-seven,  I think  he  will  see  that  a very  effectual  system 
has  been  adopted,  and  that  the  Committee  has  recommended  a plan, 
which,  if  acted  upon,  will  carry  this  new  source  of  pestilence  out  to 
the  farmer,  and  make  it  a source  of  enrichment  to  our  whole  com- 
munity. 

Mr.  Yiele.  Mr.  President:  In  regard  to  the  charge  of  the  incom- 
pleteness of  the  Report,  gentlemen  will  see,  if  they  will  look  at  the 
title  of  the  document,  that  we  have  said  more  than  was  expected  from 
us.  Every  locality  requires  a separate  system  of  sewerage ; no  uni- 
versal principles  for  its  details  can  be  laid  down.  Every  locality 
requires  a separate  and  distinct  line  of  action. 

The  President.  I have  permitted  too  wide  a discussion ; and  I 
give  notice,  — without  any  personal  discourtesy,  — that  the  last  two 
gentlemen  were  strictly  out  of  order,  because  I said,  as  the  question 
was,  it  was  a question  of  local  hygiene.  I did  not  wish  to  interrupt 
them ; but  I mean  to  keep  the  gentlemen  to  the  subject,  hereafter. 

Gen.  Mather,  of  New  York.  Mr.  President : I am  very  much 
pleased  to  hear  the  announcement  you  have  just  made.  I suppose 
that  we  assemble  for  business ; and  we  must  keep  to  the  question 
before  us,  if  we  are  ever  to  accomplish  anything.  There  is  always  a 
disposition  to  run  into  details  and  particulars,  and  answer  for  all  our 
localities.  I trust,  sir,  that  every  gentleman,  if  he  arises  to  speak 
upon  a matter  before  this  assembly,  will  endeavor  for  the  future  to 
avoid  that  tendency,  and  that  we  shall  confine  ourselves  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  fundamental  principles ; for  that  is  the  thing  we  meet  for. 
Let  certain  facts  and  principles  be  established,  and  each  locality  must 
determine  for  itself  as  to  the  manner  and  measure  in  which  these 
principles  are  to  be  applied  in  their  case.  That  is  the  great  objection, 
sir,  to  all  this  proposed  legislation.  That  is  the  objection  which,  if  I 
were  disposed  to  make  any,  in  regard  to  the  Report  which  preceded 
this,  I should  find  to  that  paper.  I have  no  objection  to  any  ground 
work  being  laid  out,  as  showing  the  usual  way  of  arriving  at  the  end. 
But  I trust,  as  I have  said  before,  that  the  action  of  this  Convention 
will  be  confined  to  great  and  fundamental  principles ; and  let  us  act 
upon  them,  and  them  alone,  leaving  the  local  governments  of  towns 
and  cities  to  determine  for  themselves  upon  the  particulars. 

The  resolution  of  the  Business  Committee  was  adopted. 

On  motion  of  Mayor  Lincoln,  of  Bostc^i,  it  was  voted  that  the 
Convention  adjourn  at  II  p.  M.,  to  meet  at  8,  p.  M. 

Dr.  Curtis.  Before  proceeding  to  the  consideration  of  the  Report, 
I wish  to  state  that  there  is  no  representative  here  from  New  Hamp- 
shire. Francis  P.  Fitch,  M.  D.,  of  Amherst,  New  Hampshire,  is 


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65 


present  in  the  city,  and  I move  you  he  be  invited  to  sit  as  a member 
of  the  Convention. 

The  motion  was  unanimously  adopted. 

Mr.  Wightman.  I have  learned  with  pleasure,  that  Norris  N. 
Halstead,  the'President  of  the  New  Jersey  Agricultural  Society,  and 
Benjamin  Haines,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
State  Agricultural  Society,  are  here  upon  official  business  in  relation 
to  the  cattle  disease ; and  I therefore  move  that  those  two  gentlemen 
be  invited  to  seats  as  members  of  this  Convention. 

The  motion  was  unanimously  adopted. 

The  fourth  resolution  of  the  series  before  the  Convention  was 
adopted  without  debate. 

The  fifth  resolution  being  in  order  : — 

Gen.  Wetmore.  I second  the  resolution  submitted,  and  simply 
desire  to  say  that  I gave  notice  yesterday  of  my  purpose  to  submit  to 
the  Convention,  to-day,  a resolution  upon  that  subject.  The  Commit- 
tee on  Business  having  taken  it  into  their  hands  for  action,  I am  per- 
fectly content  to  leave  it  there,  and  therefore  excuse  myself  to  the 
Convention  for  not  fulfilling  my  engagement. 

The  resolution  was  adopted. 

The  President  announced  that  the  business  reported  from  the 
Business  Committee  was  now  finished. 

On  motion  of  Hr.  Jewell,  it  was  resolved  that  the  Committee  on  a 
Permanent  Organization  be  appointed  by  the  President. 

Dr.  Ordronaux.  I yesterday  gave  notice  that  I should  call  to- 
day for  a committee,  to  be  called  the  Committee  on  State  Medicine.  I 
now  move  that  that  resolution  be  taken  from  the  table. 

The  motion  was  adopted,  and  the  resolution  taken  from  the  table 

Dr.  Ordronaux.  Mr.  President : It  has  not  been  my  privilege 
to  be  present  at  any  of  the  previous  meetings  of  this  Convention,  and 
my  acquaintance  with  the  machinery,  through  which  its  operations  are 
carried  on,  has  been  derived  solely  from  the  printed  Beports  of  its 
Transactions.  I am  in  every  sense,  therefore,  a new-comer,  — a mere 
apprentice  in  this  sanitary  guild ; and  perhaps  it  better  becomes  me 
to  sit  as  a passive  recipient  of  all  I can  hear  and  be  informed  by,  than 
to  make  any  proffer  of  information,  or  to  ventilate  any  opinions  of  my 
own,  before  those  whose  long  services  in  the  cause  of  life-jprotection 
and  human  regeneration  have  well  earned  for  each  that  civic  wreath 
which,  in  the  olden  time,  was  conferred  upon  him  who  had  saved  the  life 
of  a fellow-creature.  But  brief  as  has  been  my  acquaintance  with  the 
rubrics  of  your  code  of  practice,  I have  yet  discovered  enough  of  the 
spirit  actuating  every  gentleman  on  this  floor,  to  know  that  such  a 
busy  hive  as  this  is  intolerant  of  drones.  It  drives  the  ignoble  swarm 
from  out  its  teeming  precincts,  insisting  that  we  shall  all  be  hand- 
servants,  and  not  eye-servants.  And  if,  catching  that  spirit  of  conta- 
gious activity  which  is  here  so  prevalent,  I should  seek  to  take  my 

9 


66 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


turn  at  the  laboring  oar,  I am  well  convinced  that  the  Convention 
will  overlook  the  crude  manner  in  which  a new  and  important  subject 
is  introduced  to  their  notice,  — in  their  candid  desire  to  explore  the 
merits  upon  which  rests  its  foundation.  I pray  you,  therefore,,  to  ac- 
company me  to  those  sources  of  sanitary  necessity  ever  .pregnant  with 
important  suggestions  to  a body  like  our  own, — and  out  of  which 
suggestions  has  sprung  forth  that  resolution  on  State  Medicine  now 
under  consideration.  I perceive,  with  regret,  that  to  many  it  is,  like 
the  firstborn  of  Chaos,  rudis  indigestaque^  moles,  and  as  its  author  and 
proposer,  I cheerfully  comply  with  the  tacit  request  prefigured  upon 
the  countenances  around  me,  to  expound  and  illuminate  both  the 
meaning,  as  well  as  the  application,  of  this  much  misinterpreted 
.term. 

Yesterday,  a learned  and  honorable  colleague,  (Gen.  Wetmore,  of 
New  York,)  whose  voice  I never  hear,  and  whose  eye  I never  catch, 
without  being  edified  and  inspired,  introduced  a resolution  to  the 
notice  of  the  Convention,  looking  to  its  future  permanent  organization. 
As  this,  if  adopted,  would  certainly  entail  upon  us  the  necessity  of 
revising,  if  not  remodelling,  the  entire  machinery  of  our  organization, 
it  occurred  to  me  that  perhaps  a proper  opportunity  now  offered  it- 
self for  the  creation  of  a Committee  on  State  Medicine,  which  should 
fill  a place  hitherto  unoccupied,  and  discharge  duties  hitherto  unpro- 
vided for,  in  the  curriculum  of  our  business.  Those  duties  were  such 
as,  under  our  present  organization,  could  not  legitimately,  nor  by  im- 
plication even,  be  discharged  by  the  standing  committees,  already  exist- 
ing. They  were  duties  also  involving  questions  of  great  sanitary 
importance,  and  to  leave  which  unprovided  for,  was  to  put  upon  record 
a confession  of  our  imperfection  of  constitution.  I was  anxious,  there- 
fore, that  we  should  redeem  ourselves  from  an  imputation  of  this 
character,  so  fatal  to  our  future  progress.  And  the  more  so,  as  I be- 
lieve that  the  height  and  the  depth,  the  length  and  the  breadth,  the 
expansiveness,  in  a word,  of  sanitary  science,  can  hardly  yet  be  ap- 
preciated, and  most  certainly  cannot  be  fully  understood,  until  we 
explore  and  pursue  to  their  very  sources,  those  multitudinous  agencies, 
whether  physical,  whether  moral,  whether  born  of  earth,  of  air,  or  of 
society,  which  are  either  openly  or  insidiously  degenerating  the  human 
race.  In  all  parts  of  the  earth  where  men  live  in  communities,  some 
one  of  these  causes,  if  not  more,  is  constantly  at  work.  To  read  the 
record  of  their  influence  upon  health,  longevity,  and  mentality,  is  to 
peruse  one  of  the  saddest  chapters  in  the  history  of  our  race.  Nor  is 
it  wonderful  that,  looking  at  great  communities  which  have  from  time 
immemorial  nourished 

“ A strangely  visited  people,  all  swollen  and  ulcerous, 

The  mere  despair  of  surgery, — 

whether  those  people  be  found  in  the  valleys  of  the  Alps,  or  the  cel- 
lars of  Liverpool,  or  Leeds,  or  New  York,  — no  wonder  is  it,  that  we 
should  feel  it  to  be  our  first  and  overshadowing  duty  to  bring  to  light, 
— to  expose  to  the  eye  and  to  the  improving  touch  of  man,  those 
sources  of  physical  degeneration  which  are  everywhere  sapping  the 
manhood  of  nations.  By  doing  this  we  shall,  under  the  approving 


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sanction  of  this  Convention,  set  in  motion  little  rills  of  reform,  which, 
in  the  fulness  of  time,  and  under  God’s  good  providence,  will  swell  into 
mighty  rivers  of  regeneration.  The  furtherance  of  this  great  sanitary 
palingenesia,  is  the  object  to  which  State  Medicine  addresses  all  its 
efforts.  And  he  can  but  imperfectly  have  mastered  the  alphabet  of 
sanitary  science,  who  does  not  perceive  that  State  Medicine  is  at  once 
its  alpha  and  omega , — the  beginning  and  the  end,  — the  opening  and 
the  closing  chapter  of  its  whole  institutes. 

State  Medicine,  in  a word,  is  the  application  of  the  principles  of 
medical  science  to  the  administration  of  justice  and  the  preservation 
of  the  public  health.  It  is  a System  of  medical  police,  both  preventive, 
as  well  as  punitive  and  reformative.  In  its  origin  it  is  not  simply 
philanthropic,  but  also  equitable  and  economic.  It  has  its  foundation 
in  the  first  law  of  our  nature,  — self-preservation  ; — it  finds  its  sup- 
port in  the  necessity  which  this  law  imposes  upon  all  men  of  obeying, 
in  order  to  live.  Hence,  there  is  an  inter-dependence  between  the 
practice  of  this  law  and  human  health,  happiness,  and  longevity.  But 
inasmuch  as  all  men  do  not,  many,  in  fact,  from  force  of  circumstances 
cannot,  obey  its  behests,  it  devolves  upon  society  in  the  aggregate, 
to  enforce  such  ordinances  of  physical  government  as  medical  science 
has  suggested  for  .the  hygienic  well-being  of  its  members.  In  this 
way  the  unfortunate  poor  are  protected  against  the  baneful  results  of 
their  own  sanitary  short-comings,  while  the  thrifty  and  cleanly  are  in 
like  manner  defended  against  noxious  agents  to  which  they  would 
otherwise  be  exposed.  Again,  this  rule  of  equity  finds  an  urgent  rec- 
ommendation in  an  economic  sense.  Disease  is  a positive  loss  to  the 
productive  industry  of  any  community.  Whether  it  attack  one  or 
more  persons,  it  is  always  an  inroad  upon  capital  invested  in  some 
remunerative  enterprise.  The  degree  of  its  prevalence  becomes,  there- 
fore, a true  barometer  wherewith  to  measure  commercial  activity.  A 
healthy  community  always  thrives,  — has  always  the  elements  of  pros- 
perity and  growth  within  itself.  It  requires  few  or  no  hospitals,  — 
makes  few  or  no  calls  upon  the  charities  of  its  members,  because  few 
or  none  need  them.  A sickly  community  is  precisely  in  a reverse 
condition.  Its  wealth  is  constantly  drained  for  hospital  and  pauper 
funds,  while  it  is  stripped  of  the  services  of  those  strong  arms  which 
constitute  the  true  productive  capital  of  a State.  From  this  brief  re- 
view of  the  necessities  underlying  a system  of  medical  police  in  every 
community,  it  will  readily  be  acknowledged  that  it  becomes  the  duty 
of  a State  to  itself,  a matter  of  strict  commercial  expediency,  in  fact, 
to  arrest  every  preventable  cause  of  disease  that  can  possibly  arise 
within  its  borders.  And  I think  »that  every  government  ceases  to  be 
one  de  facto , whenever  it  ceases  to  extend  the  aegis  of  prophylaxis 
over  its  citizens. 

We  have  already,  Mr.  President,  certain  Standing  Committees,  whose 
duty  it  is  to  examine  in  detail  various  existing  causes  of  disease,  and 
those  Committees  report  annually  upon  such  subjects,  and  such  sub- 
jects only,  as  come  within  the  purview  of  their  duties.  They  are  re- 
stricted to  examining  these,  — their  duties  cease  upon  the  presentation 
of  their  Report,  and  it  follows  that  a cause  of  disease  must  be  perrna- 


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nently  established  before  they  can  take  cognizance  of  it,  — a year  must 
elapse  before  they  report,  and  still  another  year,  perhaps  more,  must 
expire  before  any  legislative  or  State  action  is  taken  upon  the  subject. 
Now,  if  this  Convention  is  designed  to  carry  out  what  its  founders,  as 
I understand,  intended,  it  must  certainly  work  with  more  celerity  than 
this.  I believe  it  to  be  a working  body,  and  the  essence  of  all  suc- 
cessful work  is  to  execute  as  soon  as  you  have  planned.  It  is  plain 
that  we  have  workmen  enough  here, — but,  are  they  all  occupied  ? 
Has  the  time  not  arrived,  almost,  when  your  standing  committees 
are  ready  to  say,  u We  have  reported  all  that  was  deemed  necessary 
upon  this  subject.  We  have  nothing  more  to  say.  Either  give  us 
something  to  do,  or  dismiss  us  ? ” If  we  have  not  already  heard  this 
warning  voice,  depend  upon  it,  we  soon  shall.  Indeed,  there  have 
been  whispers  about  to-day,  to  the  effect  that  your  Business  Committee 
had  anticipated  me  in  this  prophecy.  I hope  we  shall  all  prove  to 
have  been  in  error,  but  there  is  certainly  something  ominous  in  this 
concurrence  of  vaticination,  and  had  not  the  presentiment  weighed 
upon  me  so  sorely,  I should  not  have  sought  to  relieve  myself  by  dis- 
closing it. 

I am  free  to  admit  that  we  have  here  the  hundred  arms  of  Briareus , 
but  I am  also  equally  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  we  need  the 
hundred  eyes  of  Argus  to  guide  those  arms.  It  seems  to  me,  sir,  to 
be  our  duty  to  investigate  preventable  diseases  not  only  when  devel- 
oped, but  previous  to  development.  It  seems  to  me  to  be  our  duty 
not  simply  to  uproot  existing  diseases,  but  to  prevent  their  develop- 
ment, to  check  their  spread,  and  to  diminish  their  violence.  We  must 
anticipate  disease  by  anticipating  its  causes.  He  is  the  wiser  man, 
surely,  and  the  better  philanthropist,  who  builds  bulwarks  of  hygienic 
protection,  rather  than  apothecaries’  shops,  against  the  accession  of 
disease.  And  you  may  remember,  sir,  as  not  inaptly  illustrative  of 
this  truth,  that  when  the  younger  Pliny  wrote  to  the  wise  Trajan, 
complaining  of  a certain  fetid  stream  which  defiled  the  beautiful  city 
of  Amastris,  and  threatened  the  health  of  its  inhabitants,  the  Emperor 
replied  that  it  must  immediately  be  purified,  and  lest  means  for  that 
purpose  should  be  wanting,  he  would  personally  furnish  them.  Now 
we  need  not  one,  but  many  Plinys.  We  need  watchmen  on  our 
towers,  who  shall  keep  watch  and  ward  the  year  around,  looking  far 
into  the  future,  and  descrying  the  advancing  causes  of  disease  and 
human  degeneration. 

Does  not  the  eye  of  this  Convention  already  see  looming  up  in  the 
distance  questions  of  startling  proportions,  which  will  yet  demand  their 
earnest  attention,  and  compel  legislative  recognition  ? As  yet  we  have 
occupied  ourselves  only  with  the  sanitary  condition  of  ships,  and  that 
partially,  with  the  sanitary  condition  of  wards  and  precincts  in  cities, 
— but  do  these  pericula  mille  ssevse  urbis  include  the  whole  scope  of 
our  professional  duties  as  sanitarians  ? Do  the  health  of  our  crops, 
the  health  of  our  domestic  animals,  the  trades  which  we  pursue,  the 
sites  which  we  inhabit,  the  alliances  which  we  form,  affect  us  in  noth- 
ing ? Are  ill-ventilated  houses,  sewers,  stagnant  streams,  and  filthy 
streets,  the  only  causes  of  endemic  degeneration  in  cities,  or  in  the 


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country  ? Are  the  lowest  types  of  physical  and  mental  deformity 
born  solely  of  these  latter  agencies  ? It  is  time  that  we  began  to  be 
sensible  of  the  extent  of  the  field  which  yet  remains  to  be  gleaned  by 
us.  It  is  time  we  understood  that  we  have  scarcely  more  than  crossed 
the  threshold  of  sanitary  science,  — that  we  have  only  attacked  those 
agencies  destructive  to  life,  which  were  most  patent  to  sight,  to  smell, 
and  to  taste.  In  a word,  Mr.  President,  that  while  we  have  done 
much  in  the  time  we  have  worked,  we  are  still  only  on  the  border  of 
that  great  ocean  of  public  hygiene,  which  is  full  of  islands  clothed  in 
mystery, — whose  sides,  like  those  of  the  Enchanted  Isles,  are  as  yet 
untrodden  by  man,  and  where  are  enshrined  the  weird  divinities  of 
disease  and  mortal  suffering. 

It  was  but  yesterday  that  an  honorable  gentleman,  (Mr.  Kimball,) 
lately  a member  of  the  Massachusetts  Legislature,  introduced  a reso- 
lution for  our  adoption,  asking  for  the  appointment  of  a Committee  to 
investigate  the  causes  of  pleuro-pneumonia  in  cattle.  This  anomalous 
disorder,  which  has  been  lately  ravaging  the  farmsteads  of  Massachu- 
setts with  a singular  capriciousness  of  action,  has  deservedly  attracted 
great  notice  to  itself.  The  very  elaborate  Iieport  of  the  State  Com- 
missioners upon  its  history  and  progress  is  a significant  proof  of  the 
importance  attached  to  any  discussion  of  the  subject  in  this  Common- 
wealth. Nevertheless,  it  was  found,  that  in  this  National  Convention, 
representing  every  interest  in  the  country,  whether  agricultural,  com- 
mercial, civic,  manufacturing,  or  professional,  there  did  not  exist  a 
Committee  before  whom  this  magistral  topic  could  come.  And  so  we 
had  to  create  one  for  the  purpose  set  forth  in  the  resolution.  This 
was  a plain  acknowledgment  of  the  imperfection  of  our  organization, 
— an  acknowledgment  that  we  were  not  yet  provided  with  some  large 
and  comprehensive  Committee  to  which  the  subject  could  legitimately 
be  referred.  Of  all  subjects  it  was  the  most  proper  to  come  before  a 
Committee  on  State  Medicine,  had  one  been  in  existence,  and  I have 
cited  the  case  chiefly  to  show  that  we  are  still  very  far. from  being 
perfectly  organized,  and  that  we  cannot  become  so  until  such  a Com- 
mittee is  created. 

But  it  has  been  alleged  by  the  opponents  of  this  resolution,  that  a 
Committee  of  this  kind  would  necessarily  encroach  upon  the  province 
of  the  Standing  Committees,  by  its  too  comprehensive  character. 
That  having  cognizance  of  every  subject  generally  upon  which  the 
Convention  can  act,  it  would  simply  merge  the  latter  in  itself.  I,  for 
one,  do  not  so  understand  it.  This  wholesale  usurpation  of  power  in 
the  thing  created,  to  the  exclusion  of  its  creator,  is  not,  I am  quite 
sure,  contemplated  in  the  resolution.  Its  language  certainly  conveys 
no  such  expression  of  intention.  It  is  not  susceptible  of  such  an  in- 
terpretation. The  Committee  asked  for  is  one  simply  of  an  advisory 
character.  Its  business  would  be  to  inform  itself  of  every  possible 
cause  of  disease  which  experience  abroad  and  at  home  has  shown  is 
capable  of  impairing  health  or  abridging  life,  whether  in  men , domestic 
animals , or  vegetation.  After  having  fully  sounded  these  subjects,  it 
would  then  recommend  to  the  Convention  such  action  upon  them  as 
the  particular  exigencies  of  the  case  might  seem  to  require.  But  at 


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all  events,  no  action  of  this  Committee  would  be  final  in  any  matter 
brought  before  the  Convention  by  them.  If  I may  be  permitted  to 
borrow  an  illustration  from  parliamentary  assemblies  or  courts,  I 
should  say  that  the  Committee  on  State  Medicine  would  originate 
bills  of  impeachment  or  indictment  against  noxious  physical  agents, 
while  the  Convention  proper  would  try  the  issue  and  pronounce  the 
judgment.  The  Committee  is  designed  therefore  to  be  only  the  Grand 
Inquest  of  the  Convention,  and  not  the  final  arbiter  of  any  subject, 
proposition,  or  investigation  that  may  come  before  that  body. 

Having  been  the  mover  of  the  resolution,  — whose  language  I sup- 
posed intelligible  to  all,  especially  after  the  amendment  made  by  the 
Business  Committee,  — I have  until  now  refrained  from  undertaking 
anything  like  a defence  of  its  merits.  I have  had  occasion,  however, 
to  discover,  in  the  course  of  the  debate  upon  its  passage,  that  the  term 
State  Medicine  was  unfamiliar  to  some,  and  as  there  were  many  lay- 
men present,  as  well  as  professional  gentlemen,  I have  allowed  myself 
to  make  these  somewhat  extended  observations  in  the  hope  to  invite, 
rather  than  to  escape,  criticism.  Let  them  be  fully  discussed.  Let 
the  subject  be  pursued  to  its  proper  source,  and,  satisfied  as  I am  of  its 
importance,  and  of  its  great  value  to  the  future  success  of  sanitary 
missions,  I have  no  fears  of  its  ultimate  recognition  by  this  Conven- 
tion, as  that  stone,  which,  though  once  rejected  by  the  builders,  will 
yet  be  deemed  worthy  of  being  made  the  corner-stone  of  our  future 
and  permanent  edifice. 

Dr.  Griscom,  of  New  York.  I would  like  to  ask  of  the  mover  of 
this  excellent  resolution  an  explanation  of  one  point.  I want  to  know 
whether  that  Committee  is  itself  to  inquire  into  and  report  upon  these 
various  important  points  which  they  may  deem  necessary  to  be 
discussed,  or  whether  they  shall  refer  the  subject  to  sub-committees  of 
their  own  body,  or  whether  they  shall  have  power  either  to  appoint 
sub-committees  from  the.  Convention,  or  to  refer  the  subjects  to  the 
next  Convention. 

Dr.  Ordronaux.  I had  always  supposed  that  all  committees  are 
of  two  kinds,  — standing  committees  and  special  committees,  which 
can  be  raised  at  any.  time  by  any  parliamentary  body.  I do  not  under- 
stand that  the  Convention  cannot  raise  a special  committee  even  upon 
the  subject  of  extracting  sunshine  out  of  cucumbers,  if  necessary. 

Dr.  Griscom.  That  was  not  the  point  I wanted  to  get  at.  I 
wanted  sunshine,  but  not  from  that  class  of  light-producers.  This 
Convention  has  no  standing  committee  \ it  is  not  a standing  body 
itself.  It  meets  only  from  year  to  year,  — an  irresponsible  and  un- 
certain body.  Here  is  a proposition  for  a standing  committee  on  State 
Medicine.  I would  approve  of  the  measure,  most  decidedly,  if  we 
were  a continuous  body,  as  was  proposed  under  the  resolution  sug- 
gested yesterday,  and  introduced  by  the  Business  Committee  this  morn- 
ing. If  we  become  an  “ American  Sanitary  Association/’  a perma- 
nent organization,  then  a standing  committee  is  in  order ; but  we  are 
simply  a Convention,  meeting  from  year  to  year ; the  next  year  we 
may  have  one,  the  next  year  none.  Under  the  permanent  organiza- 
tion proposed,  we  shall  be  able  to  raise  this  Committee,  and  then  we 


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may  determine  what  it  shall  be.  Still,  I do  not  wish  to  lose  the  op- 
portunity of  establishing  this  Committee  now. 

Dr.  Ordronaux.  I will  modify  the  resolution  so  far  as  to  call  it  a 
special  committee,  if  that  will  meet  the  objection ; because  the  intro- 
duction of  that  resolution  now  might,  indeed,  seem  premature.  It  was 
a mere  corollary  to  General  Wetmore’s  proposition  to  make  a perma- 
nent society. 

Gen.  Wetmore,  of  New  York.  I will  offer  a motion  for  the  dis- 
position of  this  subject,  and  will  move  that  the  resolution  of  Dr.  Or- 
dronaux be  referred  to  the  Business  Committee,  for  its  consideration. 
I can  see  in  that  idea  the  germ  of  a great  good.  And  I am  only  sorry 
the  proposition  was  brought  forward  by  the  gentleman  at  this  precise 
moment.  The  information  the  gentleman  could  give  us  upon  that 
subject  would  be  of  immense  advantage  ; and  if  we  can  have  it  before 
we  adjourn,  I want  to  have  him  heard  out  upon  this  question.  It  is 
to  be  one  of  the  great  means  by  which  we  are  to  do  good  in  our  future 
operations.  The  term  used  must  not  be  taken  in  the  restricted  sense 
of  the  State  as  a form  of  government ; the  word  State  is  used  by  the 
gentleman  in  its  great  sense,  as  including  everything  that  belongs  to 
the  nation.  The  whole  community  is  included  in  the  term  State  ; and 
after  a further  exposition  from  him  of  his  views,  the  Convention  will 
understand  it.  I propose  that  that  resolution  be  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Business. 

The  motion  was  unanimously  adopted. 

Dr.  Griscom,  of  New  York,  reported,  from  the  Committee  on 
Business,  the  following  additional  resolution  : — 

Resolved , That  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  “ Utility  of 
Wet  Docks,”  &c.,  be  adopted  by  the  Convention,  and  printed  in  its 
Transactions. 

Dr.  Guthrie,  of  Tennessee,  moved  the  following  amendment : — 

Resolved , That  the  Report  upon  the  “ Utility  of  Wet  Docks,”  be 
referred  to  the  Committee  on  External  Hygiene,  with  powers. 

Dr.  Stevens,  of  New  York.  I beg  leave  to  say  that,  as  a member 
of  this  Committee,  I do  not  prefer  the  second  resolution  to  the  first. 
I do  not  feel  prepared  myself  to  recommend  that  Report  for  the  adop- 
tion of  this  Convention.  There  are  suggestions  worthy  of  considera- 
tion • but  to  adopt  them,  I think,  might  be  premature. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  I offered  this  resolution  to  cover  this  very  ground. 
The  gentlemen  whose  names  are  signed  to  that  Report  are  neither  of 
them  here.  I think  my  friend  Dr.  Stevens’s  name  appears  upon  the 
cover ) it  is  not  signed  to  the  Report,  and  he  is  not  prepared  to 
recommend  or  indorse1  it.  I question  if  the  Convention,  after  care- 
fully reading  that  Report,  are  prepared  to  adopt  the  Report,  although 
they  may  print  it.  And  my  resolution  simply  refers  it  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  External  Hygiene,  with  powers.  I believe  that  to  be  the 
most  courteous  way  in  which  we  can  treat  the  absent  Committee  who 
have  made  this  Report.  I regret  exceedingly  that  neither  of  them 
is  here.  Dr.  McDuffie  met  me  in  the  street,  a few  days  ago,  and 
said  Dr.  Sterling  would  certainly  be  here.  And  I understood  the 


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Business  Committee  to  make,  simply,  a reference,  without  regard  to 
adoption  or  consideration.  I offer  my  motion  as  a substitute. 

Dr.  Anderson,  of  Staten  Island,  moved  that  the  Report  be  laid 
upon  the  table. 

Dr.  Stevens,  of  New  York.  Mr.  President:  There  are  one  or 
two  paragraphs  in  the  Report  which  are  offensive,  and,  I think,  justly 
so,  to  gentlemen  from  Staten  Island.  If  referred,  with  powers,  it  will 
be  published  without  those  offensive  paragraphs.  I fear  the  motion 
to  lay  upon  the  table  would  be  hardly  courteous  to  Dr.  Sterling,  who 
has  embodied  in  the  Report  the  results  of  much  study  and  ex- 
perience. 

Dr.  Anderson.  Mr.  President:  I rise  to  a question  of  personal 
explanation.  I would  have  voted  in  favor  of  the  resolution  presented 
by  Dr.  Guthrie,  if  he  had  not  included  in  it  a power  to  publish. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  That  is  withdrawn. 

Dr.  Anderson.  I will  then  withdraw  my  motion  to  lay  upon  the 
table. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  Mr.  President : I think  it  is  due  to  the  gentle- 
man who  has . spent  so  much  labor  in  drawing  up  that  Report,  that 
his  views  should  be  presented  in  the  Transactions  of  this  Convention ; 
but  it  ought  to  be  with  an  understanding  that  this  Convention  does 
not  formally  adopt  the  sentiments  of  that  Report, — that  it  is  adopted 
for  publication,  without  a committal  to  its  sentiments. 

Dr.  Jewell,  of  Philadelphia.  I move  that  the  Report  be  printed 
in  the  Transactions,  and  that  its  further  consideration  be  deferred  till 
another  meeting  of  the  Convention. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  There  is  language  in  that  Report  not  acceptable  to 
the  Convention,  which  they  would  not  publish.  And  what  I desire  to 
accomplish  is  to  refer  it  to  a committee  who  shall  expurgate  that,  and 
not  commit  us  to  an  absurdity.  I am  sorry  the  members  of  that  Com- 
mittee are  not  here  ) and  I press  my  motion  now,  simply  because  I 
believe  it  to  be  the  only  way  in  which  we  can  get  rid  of  a very 
troublesome  subject. 

Dr.  Harris.  I beg  leave  to  say  that  the  subject  treated  of  in  the 
Report  is  highly  acceptable  tp  the  Committee  on  External  Hygiene,  so 
far  as  I am  aware  of  their  views.  And  the  subject  is  one  that  has 
been  deeply  interesting  to  me,  and  the  views  brought  forward  by  Dr. 
Sterling  are  sound.  The  objectionable  language,  I know,  from  my 
knowledge  of  the  gentleman,  he  would  be  willing  to  strike  out.  I am 
desirous  that  the  greatest  courtesy  should  be  shown  to ’the  Report, 
and  to  the  author. 

The  question  being  taken  upon  Dr.  Guthrie’s  substitute,  it  was 
adopted. 

Dr.  Jewell,  of  Philadelphia,  offered  the  following  resolution: — 

Whereas , at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Convention,  after  a learned  and 
dispassionate  discussion,  the  long-agitated  question  of  the  non-trans- 
mission of  yellow  fever  from  one  person  to  another  was  definitely  set- 
tled, and  whereas,  in  order  to  strengthen  that  decision,  therefore 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


73 


Resolved , That  the  action  of  the  last  Convention  on  the  question  of 
the  non-contagiousness  of  yellow  fever,  to  be  found  on  page  45  of 
its  Transactions,  be  and  is  hereby  reaffirmed. 

Dr.  Jewell.  I move  that  the  Report  be  laid  upon  the  table  till 
evening,  in  order  that  Dr.  La  Roche  may  address  the  Convention  upon 
• the  subject.  Agreed  to. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Dispensaries  was  called  for. 

Gen.  Mather,  of  New  York.  I deeply  regret  to  state  that  circum- 
stances beyond  the  control  of  the  Committee  have  prevented  me  from 
making  any  report.  Not  from  any  want  of  respect  to  the  Convention, 
and  not  from  any  want  of  appreciation  of  the  great  physical,  moral, 
and  political  importance  of  the  subject, — but  so  it  is.  I am  not  pre- 
pared to  make  any  report ; and  I merely  call  the  attention  of  the  Con- 
vention to  the  fact,  and  submit  this  particular  question  to  them, — 
whether  or  not  the  Committee  shall  be  continued. 

On  motion  of  Gen.  Wetmore,  the  Committee  was  discharged,  and 
it  was  resolved  that  a new  Committee  on  Dispensaries  should  be  ap- 
pointed, of  which  Gen.  Mather,  of  New  York,  should  be  Chairman. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  “ Quality  and  Supply  of  Food 
in  Cities,  Markets,  and  Abattoirs,”  was  called  for. 

Dr.  Harris,  of  New  York.  May  I offer  an  apology  for  that  Committee  ? 
It  was  the  design  of  the  Chairman  of  that  Committee  to  insure  a 
report  upon  that  subject,  at  this  Convention.  His  time  was  variously 
and  too  fully  occupied.  Notwithstanding  this,  however,  he  held  com- 
munication with  the  various  members  of  the  Committee.  The  subjects  in- 
cluded under  that  resolution  were  so  divided  between  members  of  the  Com- 
mittee, that  it  was  hoped  some  progress  would  be  reported,  or  a final  re- 
port made.  Some  of  the  more  important  subdivisions  of  the  Commit- 
tee were  unable  to  report  in  full,  and  it  would  have  been  impossible 
to  present  a full  and  satisfactory  report.  As  chairman  of  the  Commit- 
tee I am  able  to  report  considerable  progress,  and  to  promise,  for  a 
part  of  the  members  of  the  Committee,  that  the  Report  shall  be  com- 
pleted during  the  ensuing  year,  if  it  is  the  pleasure  of  the  Convention 
to  continue  the  Committee. 

The  Secretary  having  no  minute  of  a motion  by  Dr.  Guthrie,  on  the 
previous  day,  that  the  Committee  be  continued,  Dr.  Guthrie  renewed 
his  motion,  which  was  adopted. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Architecture  was  called  for.  No 
report  was  presented. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Plans  of  Tenement-Houses  was  called 
for. 

Charles  H.  IIaswell,  Esq.,  of  New  York.  Mr.  President:  I 
find  myself  called  upon  to  take  my  turn  upon  the  stool  of  repentance, 
as  Chairman  of  a Committee.  I feel  very  much  embarrassed  in  asking 
the  members  of  this  Convention  if  I have  ever  before  been  delinquent 
upon  a Committee  like  this.  In  many  years  of  public  life,  I have 
10 


74  National  Quarantine  Convention. 

never  accepted  a position  like  this,  without  fulfilling  to  the  best  of  my 
ability  the  duties  imposed  upon  me.  I fully  intended  to  present  a re- 
port, and  hoped  that  it  might  contain  some  suggestions  worthy  of  con- 
sideration. It  so  occurred  that  the  legislature  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  in  consequence  of  a calamity  that  lately  occurred,  undertook  to 
legislate  upon  the  subject.  It  is  very  natural  and  reasonable  that  the  « 
Committee  should  wait  till  that  body  has  acted  thereon.  The  legisla- 
ture did  not  adjourn  until  the  latter  part  of  March,  or,  rather,  the  first 
of  April.  I essayed,  upon  three  several  occasions,  to  call  that  Com- 
mittee together,  but  failed  to  effect  my  purpose.  Immediately  after 
that,  I suffered  the  affliction  of  having  to  remove  my  domicil,  and 
was  without  the  use  of  my  library  for  one  month.  The  time  passed, 
and  I found  myself  unable  to  approach  so  prolific  and  interesting  a 
subject  in  the  short  time  allotted  to  me.  I have  preferred  to  submit 
the  matter  to  the  Convention  for  their  judgment. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Garrish,  of  New  York,  the  Committee  was  dis- 
charged. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Garrish,  it  was  resolved  that  a Committee  upon 
the  subject  be  appointed  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  that  Charles  H. 
Haswell,  of  New  York,  be  the  Chairman  of  such  Committee. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  “ Nature  and  Sources  of  Mias- 
mata” was  called  for. 

Dr.  Bell,  of  Philadelphia.  I had  a note  from  Dr.  Darby,  two 
months  ago,  or  less,  informing  me  of  his  inability  to  attend  to  that 
subject,  and  saying  that,  if  the  Convention  desire  it,  he  would  be  will- 
ing that  the  Committee  should  be  continued,  and  he  would  endeavor 
to  discharge  the  duty. 

The  President.  Is  he  the  gentleman  who  circulates  Darby’s 
Prophylactic  Fluid  ? 

Dr..  Bell.  I do  not  know,  sir.  I do  not  know  Professor  J. 
Darby.  I only  know  that  there  is  an  advertisement  circulated,  signed 
“ Professor  J.  Darby.” 

On  motion,  the  Committee  was  discharged. 

Charles  H.  Haswell,  of  New  York,  submitted  the  following  res- 
olution : — 

Resolved , That  the  Committee  on  Civic  Cleanliness  is  instructed  to 
report  a system  of  sewerage  calculated  to  arrest  the  deposits  therefrom 
from  exposure  to  the  air  upon  tidal  surfaces,  and  that  they  be  directed 
to  adapt  their  recommendations  to  the  different  conditions  of  harbors 
and  rivers  having  extensive  or  small  tidal  volumes. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Garrish,  of  New  York,  the  Convention  adjourned 
to  8,  p.  M. 

Evening  Session. 

The  Convention  was  called  to  order  at  81  o’clock,  Dr.  Arnold 
in  the  chair.  The  records  of  the  preceding  session  were  read,  and 
several  corrections  having  been  made,  they  were  approved. 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


75 


Mayor  Lincoln.  I have  received  a letter  to-day  from  a gentle- 
man of  Boston,  who  has  for  many  years  been  much  interested  in  sani- 
tary matters,  and,  with  your  permission,  I will  hand  the  letter  to  the 
Secretary,  and  ask  him  to  read  it,  and  then  will  move  that  it  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Committee,  who  have  the  subject  under  consideration. 
The  gentleman  to  whom  I refer  is  Mr.  George  B.  Emerson,  of 
Boston. 

The  Secretary  then  read  the  letter,  as  follows  : — 

To  the  Honorable  E.  W.  Lincoln,  Mayor  of  Boston,  and  member 

of  the  Sanitary  Council. 

Sir  : I wish,  through  you,  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Convention,  if  it 
have  not  already  been  turned  in  that  direction,  to  the  only  insufficient, 
wasteful,  and  dangerous  modes  now  in  use  for  the  drainage  of  cities. 
The  contents  of  the  sewers  are  now  very  generally  allowed  to  pour 
into  some  stream,  river,  or  bay.  They  are  thereby  lost  to  agriculture, 
while  they  poison  the  waters  which  should  be  and  might  be  perennial 
sources  of  purification,  refreshment,  and  health. 

The  amount  of  the  loss  to  agriculture  may  be  conjectured  from  the 
fact  that  every  family  of  five  persons  is  thought,  by  those  who  have 
paid  attention  to  the  subject,  to  furnish  material  for  manuring,  in  the 
best  manner  possible,  not  less  than  an  acre  of  land.  If  this  be  so,  not 
less  than  thirty  thousand  acres  of  the  naturally  poor  land  in  our  neigh- 
borhood might  be  annually  made  rich  by  the  now  wasted  contents  of 
the  sewers  of  Boston. 

Instead  of  this  natural,  proper,  and  economical  use,  the  whole  of 
this  substance  is  now  thrown  into  the  bay,  gradually  filling  up  the 
channel,  and  rendering  the  waters  offensive  and  poisonous. 

The  present  condition  of  London,  and  the  present  and  past  condition 
of  most  of  the  other  cities  of  the  old  world,  now  stand  warning  us  of 
the  terrible  consequences  of  imitating  their  bad  example  in  this 
respect.  The  largest  river  of  England  is  wholly  inadequate,  properly 
to  drain  its  capital,  while,  as  a necessary  consequence  of  the  mistaken 
modes  of  draining,  millions  of  dollars  are  annually  spent  in  importing 
from  distant  shores,  guano,  bone,  and  other  manures,  while  identically 
the  same  mineral  substances,  of  still  greater  value,  are  allowed  to  go  to 
waste,  and  to  render  loathsome  and  poisonous  the  stream  of  the 
Thames. 

In  one  or  two  cities  in  Scotland  a wiser  course  has  been  pursued. 

One  visible  consequence  of  this  almost  universal  waste  is,  that 
already  most  of  the  land  in  the  neighborhood  of  long-settled  cities, 
even  of  much  of  the  land  on  the  Atlantic  slope  in  America,  is  annu- 
ally becoming  more  and  more  exhausted. 

Pardon  me  for  calling  your  attention  to  this  subject.  Its  immedi- 
ate and  prospective  importance  seems  to  me  to  be  not  inferior  in  its 
bearing  upon  the  health  and  prosperity  of  the  inhabitants  of  our  cities 
and  their  neighborhood,  to  any  that  can  come  before  you. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant,  . 

GEO.  B.  EMERSON. 


Winthrop,  June  15,  1860. 


7 6 National  Quarantine  Convention. 

The  communication  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Civic 
Cleanliness. 

Gen.  Mather  moved  that  the  blank  in  the  resolution  of  Gen.  Wet- 
more,  providing  for  the  reappointment  of  the  Committee  on  Dispen- 
saries, be  filled  by  the  insertion  of  the  number  five,  which  motion  was 
agreed  to. 

Dr.  Harris,  of  New  York,  announced  his  willingness  to  present  a 
voluntary  communication  on  “ Heat  as  a Disinfectant,”  and  he  was, 
by  vote  of  the  Convention,  invited  to  read  it. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Shannon,  of  New  York,  the  communication  was 
referred  to  the  Business  Committee. 

Dr.  Arnold.  Will  you  excuse  my  stating  one  single  fact  in  rela- 
tion to  fomites  ? I do  not  understand  the  matter  particularly,  but  I 
wish  to  state  that,  in  regard  to  the  virus,  or  materies  morbi , or  what- 
ever name  you  choose  to  call  it,  of  yellow  fever,  the  greatest  enemy  to 
it,  with  us  at  the  South,  is  Jack  Frost.  I do  not  mean  to  say  this  to 
counteract  any  position  taken  in  the  communication,  which  contained 
many  suggestions  of  value,  but  I wish  to  call  your  attention  to  the 
fact,  that,  after  all,  we  have  to  modify  our  opinions  by  the  climate. 
When  the  yellow  fever  appears  in  Savannah,  no  man  is  safe  until  a 
hard  “ black  frost,”  as  we  call  it,  comes.  That  is  a fact,  certain,  inevi- 
table, as  that  the  sun  rises  in  the  heavens.  Cold  with  us  kills  it  dead, 
and  anybody  might  have  gone  to  Savannah  in  the  fatal  epidemic  of 
1854,  after  the  frost,  with  as  much  impunity  as  to  the  top  of  the 
Himalaya  Mountains. 

Dr.  Harris.  There  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  fact  just  stated,  by  Dr. 
Arnold.  A black  frost  certainly  destroys  yellow  fever,  and  wherever 
such  refrigeration  can  be  applied  or  procured, — whether  to  infected 
things,  the  compartments  of  an  infected  vessel,  a house,  or  a whole 
district,  the  fever  will  quickly  subside,  and  its  mysterious  cause  be- 
come completely  inoperative.  But  there  are  certain  practical  difficul- 
ties in  producing  and  applying  the  requisite  degree  of  refrigeration 
by  artificial  means  in  ships,  houses,  and  to  pestilent  fomites.  In  the 
case  of  the  U.  S.  Frigate  “ Susquehanna,”  at  quarantine  in  the  bay 
of  New  York,  in  1857,  nearly  twenty  thousand  dollars  were  expended 
in  futile  efforts  to  disinfect  that  vessel  by  means  of  ice  and  salt,  ven- 
tilation and  cleansing ; yet,  from  April  till  October,  that  noble  vessel 
remained  infected ; indeed,  until  the  autumnal  frosts  put  an  end  to 
yellow  fever  poison,  that  infection  seemed  to  have  been  steadily  aug- 
menting on  board  the  “ Susquehanna,”  at  its  lonely  anchorage  in  the 
lower  bay  of  New  York.  She  continued  to  be  badly  infected  after 
immense  quantities  of  ice  had  been  thrown  into  her  various  compart- 
ments. But,  mind  you,  even  that  ice  did  not  diminish  the  tempera- 
ture of  those  compartments  to  the  freezing  point,  and  much  less  was  a 
freezing  temperature  secured  in  those  sections  of  the  ship  into  which 
the  ice  was  not,  or  could  not  be,  introduced.  This  was,  and  always 
must  be,  the  great  practical  difficulty, — the  refrigeration  cannot  be 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


77 


effected  throughout  the  vessel.  It  is,  also,  undoubtedly,  impractica- 
ble for  the  quarantine  authorities  to  disinfect  yellow-fever  vessels  by 
cold,  simply  because  it  costs  too  much,  and  requires  time  and  much 
labor,  while  the  economy  and  practicability  of  applying  steam  for  that 
purpose  are  susceptible  of  scientific  demonstration,  as  I would  have 
shown  by  facts  contained  in  other  pages  which  I have  in  my  pocket,  if 
it  had  not  been  burdening  the  attention  of  the  Convention.  If  it 
were  necessary  to  apply  steam  to  this  hall,  and  raise  the  heat  to  the 
scalding  point,  it  could  be  done  in  twenty  minutes,  and  at  an  expendi- 
ture which  any  of  us  could  defray ; and  yet  it  probably  would  not 
injure  the  cornice,  even,  if  that  is  well  put  on.  I venture  to  say,  it 
would  not  injure  the  room  seriously  in  any  respect. 

Glen.  Mather.  I feel  constrained  to  rise  to  a point  of  order. 
There  is  no  motion  before  the  Convention. 

The  President,  pro  tem.  There  is  no  regular  business  before  the 
Convention. 

Mr.  Shannon.  I move  that  Dr.  Harris  be  invited  to  continue  his 
remarks  on  this  interesting  subject. 

This  motion  was  seconded  by  Glen.  Mather,  and  carried,  and  Dr. 
Harris  resumed. 

Dr.  Harris.  I believe,  sir,  that  it  is  desirable,  in  view  of  the 
practicability  of  applying  steam  as  a disinfectant,  that  this  Conven- 
tion should  appoint  a committee  to  institute  such  inquiries,  and  make 
such  experiments  as  they  may  be  able,  with  reference  to  the  disinfect- 
ing power  of  heat.  The  subject  is  one  of  great  practical  importance ; 
but  I think  that  it  is  not  desirable  to  enter  upon  an  extended  discus- 
sion of  the  subject  at  this  time,  as  there  may  be  other  questions  wait- 
ing the  attention  of  the  Convention  this  evening. 

The  President,  pro  tem.  The  Convention  has  paid  you  the  com- 
pliment of  expressing  its  desire  to  listen  to  you,  and  I hope  you  will 
go  on. 

Dr.  Harris.  I will  make  a few  remarks,  and  then  offer  the 
resolution  I have  just  prepared. 

Having  seen  the  impracticability  of  applying  cold  to  vessels  arriving 
in  our  northern  ports,  with  yellow  fever  on  board,  where  the  disease 
is,  as  I suppose  always  exotic,  I have  been  led  to  inquire  whether  we 
have  any  other  disinfectant.  Dr.  Yan  Bibber  stated,  in  his  Report 
last  year,  very  frankly,  and,  as  I think,  very  truly,  that  a disinfectant 
of  yellow  fever  is  a desideratum ; and  it  is  a desideratum  of  vast  im- 
portance. I have  seen  anchored  at  quarantine,  in  the  Bay  of  New 
York,  at  one  time,  eighty-three  vessels.  I have  seen  vessels  and  goods 
detained  at  quarantine,  valued  at  many  millions  of  dollars,  for  weeks 
or  months,  simply  because  they  were  suspected  or  known  to  be  infected 
with  yellow  fever.  The  amount  of  loss  to  merchants,  from  such  de- 
tention, under  any  existing  system  in  our  northern  ports,  is  immense. 
In  the  port  of  New  York  alone,  according  to  a report  to  the  Chamber 


78 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


of  Commerce  last  year,  the  loss  amounts,  annually,  to  many  millions  of 
dollars.  Now,  sir,  if  it  were  possible  for  us  to  discover  a method  of 
disinfecting  those  articles  which  may  be  subjected  to  some  speedy, 
effectual,  and  practicable  mode  of  disinfection  without  injury,  it 
would  be  of  great  value ; and  I believe  that  all  articles  which  are 
capable  of  becoming  fomites  of  yellow  fever,  or  particularly  liable  to 
become  fomites  of  any  other  malady,  may  be  disinfected  by  heat,  if 
not  by  ordinary  steam,  at  least  by  dry  heat,  properly  moistened.  I 
believe,  sir,  after  considerable  examination  of  the  subject,  that  it  is 
practicable  to  apply  heat  for  purposes  of  disinfection,  first,  to  all 
articles  liable  to  become  fomites  of  yellow  fever;  and  particularly  is  it 
practicable  to  apply  as  much  heat  as  is  necessary  to  the  disinfection  of 
the  vessels  themselves.  It  is  well  known  that  ships  themselves  are  most 
likely  to  become  vehicles  for  conveying  exotic  infection  to  our  mari- 
time cities,  and  they  are  prone  also  to  engender  pestilent  infection.  I 
am  not  afraid  of  their  cargoes  ; at  least,  there  are  but  few  cargoes  liable 
to  infection.  Occasionally,  we  have  a few  bales  of  filthy  rags,  or  some 
bales  of  unpressed  cotton ; but  we  have  always  plenty  of  beds,  pillows, 
blankets,  &c.  Now,  I have  found,  from  my  own  experience,  that  I can 
take  all  the  bedding,  pillows,  feathers,  mattresses,  of  every  kind,  sub- 
ject them  to  heat,  and  thoroughly  disinfect  them,  at  a merely  nominal 
cost.  In  regard  to  other  articles  liable  to  become  fomites , it  is  easily 
shown  that,  with  few  exceptions,  they  can  probably  be  disinfected  also; 
but  with  regard  to  vessels,  experiments  are  yet  to  be  made.  In  the 
case  of  the  Susquehanna,  a large  war-steamer,  she  was  first  unloaded 
of  all  her  stores ; she  was  anchored  in  the  lower  bay  of  New  York, 
and  there  she  remained  from  April  until  late  in  the  autumn,  until  the 
hard  frosts  came,  and  yellow  fever  continued  to  occur  on  board  of  her. 
Time  after  time  I saw  patients  brought  from  that  vessel  who  had  gone 
on  board  healthy  men,  after  the  crew  had  left  her.  The  ship-keepers 
and  new  engineers  were  seized  with  yellow  fever.  Finally,  on  the 
twelfth  of  July,  nearly  three  months  after  her  arrival,  it  was  de- 
termined to  clear  out  her  u shell-room,”  a section  of  the  vessel 
hitherto  untouched.  The  two  men,  who  went  on  board  to  break  out 
that  part  of  the  magazine,  entered  the  ship  and  went  to  the  “ shell- 
room”  by  the  most  direct  way.  They  worked  all  day  and  accom- 
plished their  task.  Those  two  men  went  on  board  in  perfect  health, 
and  having  completed  their  work  in  a few  hours, — if  I rightly  recol- 
lect, all  in  one  day, — they  left  the  ship,  and  were  not  subsequently  ex- 
posed elsewhere  to  the  cause  of  yellow  fever.  About  a week  subse- 
quently, I saw  them  both  dying  of  black  vomit. 

Previous  to  this,  during  the  ten  or  twelve  weeks  the  ship  had 
been  at  our  quarantine  anchorage,  the  vessel  had  been  repeatedly 
fumigated,  whitewashed,  ventilated;  and,  as  stated  by  the  quarantine 
physician,  “ everything  had  been  done  that  reason  and  science  could 
suggest,  to  free  her  from  infection,  and  for  some  time  they  flattered 
themselves  with  entire  success.”  But  about  the  time  the  shell-room 
was  cleared  — early  in  July — all  the  remaining  stores  were  dis- 
charged, and  among  other  things,  anew  sail  was  sent  up  from  the  ship 
to  the  quarantine  warehouse,  twelve  miles  distant.  Two  of  the  lighter- 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


79 


men,  who  were  engaged  in  that  service,  slept  in  the  folds  of 
that  sail  one  night  at  the  warehouse,  and  were  soon  taken  ill  with 
yellow  fever.  Thus  did  yellow  fever  continue  to  occur  among  the  per- 
sons employed  on  board  that  ship,  until  the  autumn  was  well  advanced. 
Even  after  the  hold  of  the  vessel  had  been  refrigerated,  at  great  ex- 
pense, with  ice  and  salt,  the  first  man  who  was  sent  below,  during  the 
month  of  September,  to  scrape  the  sides  of  the  ship’s  hold,  was  smitten 
with  the  pestilence,  and  died  of  black  vomit. 

I might  cite  from  our  quarantine  records  a series  of  illustrations 
equally  as  instructive,  showing  the  obstinate  persistence  and  continu- 
ance of  infection  in  vessels  lying  at  the  anchorages  of  our  northern 
ports.  It  is  desirable  that  such  vessels  should  not  remain  contaminated. 
It  is  desirable  that,  where  commerce  collects  such  numbers  of  vessels  as 
are  liable  to  be  congregated  in  New  York  harbor,  they  should  not  con- 
stitute a pest-embankment.  We  have  in  New  York  bay  a pest-embank- 
ment, in  the  midst  of  which  it  is  dangerous  for  healthy  vessels  and 
passengers  to  remain  for  a night.  I will  cite  an  instance.  Early  in 
July,  1856,  there  were  some  seventy  vessels  at  the  upper  quarantine 
anchorage  in  the  harbor  of  New  York,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Narrows, 
several  of  them  badly  infected  with  yellow  fever.  A vessel  arrived 
from  Tralee,  in  Ireland,  a healthy  port,  with  some  two  hundred  pas- 
sengers, and  a cargo  of  iron.  The  health  officer  ordered  vessel  and 
passengers  anchored  in  the  midst  of  the  fleet  then  at  quarantine,  for 
twenty-four  hours.  I have  no  reason  to  believe  that  there  was  any 
communication  between  these  vessels  over  night,  particularly  between 
the  other  vessels  and  this  one,  which  was  under  the  strict  surveillance 
of  the  emigrant  harbor  police  on  board ; but  six  days  after  that,  I re- 
ceived as  a patient  in  the  hospital,  a man  from  Tralee,  in  Ireland,  sick 
of  yellow  fever,  who  came  as  a passenger  on  board  of  that  vessel.  Tie 
had  been  sick  forty-eight  hours,  and  soon  after  entering  our  hospital 
commenced  the  black  vomiting.  His  only  exposure  to  the  disease 
had  been  that  experienced  in  remaining  at  the  quarantine  anchorage 
and  sleeping  one  night  on  the  deck  of  that  vessel,  surrounded  by  ships 
from  the  West  Indies,  infected  with  yellow  fever. 

I desire  to  make  these  two  points  appear  in  this  statement  of  facts : 
1st.  That  no  means  have  yet  been  devised  or  applied  for  the 
effectual  and  immediate  disinfection  of  a vessel  contaminated  with  yel- 
low fever,  previous  to  the  season  of  severe  frost : 2d.  That  the  pub- 
lic safety,  as  well  as  the  interests  of  commerce,  demands  the  discovery 
and  application  of  such  means  of  disinfection,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
congregation  of  infected  vessels  at  quarantine  during  sickly  seasons, 
and  so  as  to  provide  for  the  uninterrupted  use  of  all  vessels  in  the 
legitimate  objects  of  trade,  and  which  will  enable  science,  by 
some  practicable  application  of  disinfectants,  to  triumph  over  the  vexed 
question  of  the  age,  — the  quarantine  question.  I offer  a resolution, 
in  the  hope  that  when  this  Convention  meets  again,  another  year,  we 
may  be  favored  with  a special  report  on  this  subject,  — more  conclu- 
sive and  satisfactory  than  the  paper  I have  just  read.  I therefore 
move  that  a committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  report  at  the  next 
meeting  of  this  Convention,  upon  Heat  as  a Disinfectant. 


80  National  Quarantine  Convention. 

A Member.  Were  salt  and  ice  used  in  the  case  of  the  Susque- 
hanna ? 

Dr.  Harris.  Yes,  sir ; but,  as  I said  before,  the  trouble  was,  that 
the  temperature  in  the  vessel  was  not,  in  every  part,  reduced  to  the 
freezing  point. 

Gen.  Mather.  Is  refrigeration  a disinfectant  ? 

Dr.  Harris.  Yes,  I think  it  is,  unquestionably,  of  yellow  fever ; 
but  not  of  typhus  or  smallpox. 

Gen.  Mather.  Do  I understand  the  gentleman  correctly,  as  main- 
taining that  cold  cannot  be  effectually  applied  to  vessels  as  a disinfec- 
tant, for  the  reason  that  it  cannot  be  applied  to  all  its  parts  ? 

Dr.  Harris.  The  gentleman  has  probably  misunderstood  me  in 
this  respect.  I regard  the  theory  of  the  disinfection  of  yellow  fever  by 
cold  as  correct;  but  I regard  it  as  impracticable  on  account  of  the  ex- 
pense, as  well  as  on  account  of  the  possibility  and  even  the  probability 
of  failing  to  refrigerate  certain  places  in  the  vessel  where  ice  could 
not  be  applied.  As  regards  the  use  of  steam,  we  can  send  that, 
whither  we  will. 

Gen.  Mather.  I was  going  to  ask  a further  question  for  the  pur- 
pose of  making  the  subject  more  practical.  By  what  process  could 
steam  be  effectually  used  in  places  that  could  not  be  disinfected 
successfully  by  refrigeration  ? 

Dr.  Harris.  Mr.  Chairman,  steam  will  go  wherever  there  is  an 
opening.  As  truly  as  “ nature  abhors  a vacuum,”  so  truly  does  steam 
love  an  opening ; and  by  its  great  elastic  force,  it  finds  that  opening. 
I believe,  sir,  that  it  has  been  used  occasionally  in  the  navy  to  extermi- 
nate vermin  from  their  inaccessible  hiding-places  in  the  ships.  I am 
not  certain,  but  I think  I have  heard  of  instances  where  rats  were 
completely  driven  out  of  vessels  by  driving  in  steam. 

Gen.  Mather.  We  wish  to  exterminate  yellow  fever,  not  rats. 
If  I understand  the  matter,  cold  will  penetrate  where  you  cannot  make 
steam  go.  Cold  will  penetrate  where  there  is  any  conducting  medium, 
whether  solid  or  atmospheric.  It  is  well  known  to  every  man  of  ob- 
servation, that  you  cannot  force  steam  through  impervious  substances ; 
and  I maintain  that  if  it  is  proposed  to  reach  those  hidden  places  where 
this  fomites , or  whatever  you  please  to  call  it,  is,  by  the  application 
of  steam  bodily  to  those  points,  it  strikes  me  that  the  process  of  refrig- 
eration will  more  certainly  reach  it,  and  more  effectually,  if  my  philos- 
ophy is  correct,  than  steam.  I may  be  all  wrong,  but  I would  like  to 
hear  further  in  regard  to  the  matter. 

Dr.  Bell.  I wish  to  put  Dr.  Harris  rightabout  the  rats.  In  1847, 
and  ’48,  I was  an  assistant  surgeon  of  the  navy  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico, 
where  the  yellow  fever  raged  very  violently  in  the  vicinity  of  Vera 
Cruz,  where  cold  cannot  be  employed,  for  we  cannot  get  it.  During 
that  time,  one  of  the  vessels  was  so  seriously  infected  that  the  hatches 
were  closed,  and  the  persons  on  board  preferred  to  sleep  under  the 
awnings  on  deck,  rather  than  run  the  risk  of  sleeping  below,  and  it 
proved  less  hazardous  in  the  result.  Fever  cases  continued  to  occur 
during  the  whole  season,  until  the  northers  set  in.  There  are  no 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


81 


frosts  there,  but  the  northers  from  the  mountains  seem  to  be  as  effec- 
tual a poison,  so  to  call  it,  of  the  yellow-fever  poison,  as  frost.  In  other 
words,  the  epidemic  ceases  in  the  tropics,  where  there  is  no  frost,  on 
the  setting  in  of  the  northers,  or  the  winds  from  the  mountains,  instead 
of  from  the  coast,  where  there  is  a great  amount  of  vegetable  decom- 
position. In  the  beginning  of  the  summer  of  1848,  we  again  had 
cases  of  yellow  fever.  Meanwhile,  we  had  changed  commanders,  and 
the  new  officer  was  a man  who  had  a great  antipathy  to  the  vermin 
then  on  board  ship,  — rats,  mice,  and  cockroaches.  He  said  he  was 
not  only  going  to  kill  them  off,  but  cleanse  the  vessel,  so  that  we  could 
sleep  below.  I was  consulted  as  the  medical  attendant,  and  very 
readily  assented  to  the  trial.  Steam  was  turned  in  upon  the  vessel, 
and  we  not  only  killed  all  the  vermin,  but  from  that  time  no  other 
case  of  yellow  fever  occurred.  There  was  no  way  of  applying  ice  there, 
and  there  are  many  other  cases  where  its  application  is  impossible. 
Shall  we  say  to  you,  sir,  in  Savannah,  that  you  shall  not  use  steam, 
though  ice  be  dear  ? Steam  is  certainly  a cheap  means,  and  a most 
effectual  one.  It  costs  much  less  than  ice,  especially  in  a steam-ship, 
which  is  a “ steam  generator,”  always  at  hand. 

The  President,  pro  tem.  Is  there  such  a thing  as  a rat  on  board 
a vessel  now,  after  this  positive  remedy  has  been  discovered  ? (Laugh- 
ter.) 

Dr.  Bell.  All  our  vessels  are  not  steam  generators. 

Dr.  Guthrie.  I would  like  to  express  my  admiration  of  the  paper 
read  by  Dr.  Harris.  I think  it  throws  great  light  upon  some  points. 
I listened  to  it  with  great  pleasure,  and  I only  regret  that  we  did  not 
have  it  entire.  I am  in  favor  of  the  resolution,  but  I wish  to  offer  an 
amendment,  which  I trust  the  mover  will  accept.  It  is  this  : “ and 
also  the  value  of  public  washing-houses,  as  disinfectants,  for  the  poor 
in  cities.”  It  struck  me  during  the  whole  of  the  reading  of  that  com- 
munication, that  we  have  in  this  very  thing,  the  application  of  heat 
and  steam,  an  effectual  means  of  affording  to  the  poor  the  opportunity 
of  applying  this  powerful  disinfectant  to  their  clothing.  It  struck  me 
that  it  would  afford  to  the  poor  in  our  cities,  living  in  close,  contracted 
localities,  where  the  expense  of  applying  heat  by  the  ordinary  meth- 
ods, to  disinfecting  or  cleansing  clothing,  would  be  burdensome,  a 
cheap  and  easy  method,  and  one  that  would  tend  to  promote  the  health 
of  the  country  appreciably. 

I have  no  doubt  as  to  the  question  between  heat  and  cold,  that  heat 
can  be  sent  through  any  building,  or  any  ship,  or  any  enclosed  space, 
with  a power  that  would  astonish  any  one  who  had  never  experimented 
upon  it.  I do  not  propose,  if  the  mover  of  the  resolution  objects,  to 
press  this  amendment,  but  I hope  that  he  will  accept  that  amendment, 
in  connection  with  the  application  of  steam  as  a disinfectant,  and  con- 
sider the  value  of  public  washing-houses  to  the  poor.  And  while  I 
am  up,  (not  to  detain  the  Convention,)  I will  make  one  remark  upon 
the  subject  of  the  application  of  steam.  I chanced  once  to  be  ap- 
pointed by  an  insurance  company  to  assess  damages  sustained  either 
by  heat,  by  water,  or  by  fire,  to  a lot  of  goods  and  drugs  put  up  in 
glass  bottles,  with  ground-glass  stopples,  tied  over  with  kid.  They 
11 


82 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


were  deposited  on  shelves,  in  the  third  story  of  a building.  The 
second  story,  in  which  the  fire  originated,  was  used  as  a storage  room 
for  cotton.  The  third  story  was  protected  by  iron  shutters  securely 
fastened.  The  fire  commenced  in  the  night  and  burnt  some  hours  be- 
fore it  was  discovered;  when  the  alarm  was  given,  the  engines  began 
to  play  upon  the  building,  and  the  concentration  of  the  heat  and  steam 
was  such  that  the  goods  were  entirely  ruined  by  the  heat  and  steam 
permeating  the  bottles. 

I apprehend  that  no  scientific  gentleman  can  think  that  there  is  any 
comparison  as  to  power,  between  steam  and  cold.  I hope  the  Busi- 
ness Committee  will  give  to  this  paper  their  approbation,  and  that  it 
will  be  published,  and  that  a new  Committee  will  be  appointed  to  re- 
port at  the  next  meeting. 

Dr.  Bell.  I would  mention  in  connection  with  the  statements  of 
Dr.  Harris,  in  reference  to  the  steam-ship  Susquehannah,  as  I have 
myself  seen  the  bills,  that  the  effort  to  freeze  out  the  yellow  fever  on 
board  that  ship  cost  the  United  States  about  $19,000.  Yet  it  was  in- 
effectual; it  did  no  good.  Cases  of  yellow  fever  continued  to  occur, 
as  Dr.  Harris  has  said.  I venture  this  fact,  because  there  the  United 
States  was  the  paymaster,  and  the  persons  in  charge  had  full  liberty  to 
make  the  experiment. 

Dr.  Bibbins,  of  New  York.  I hope  the  resolution  will  pass.  I 
have  listened  with  a great  deal  of  interest  to  the  paper;  and,  sir,  the 
fact  that  heat  may  not  be  a perfect  disinfectant,  is  no  reason  why,  if  it 
is  a partial  disinfectant,  we  should  not  avail  ourselves  of  it.  If  it 
will  save  ten  lives  during  an  epidemic,  we  certainly  ought  to  employ 
it.  Sir,  the  question  has  arisen,  If  the  poison  can  be  destroyed  by 
heat,  what  is  the  degree  of  heat  that  will  destroy  it?  That  is  a prac- 
tical question  for  the  Committee  to  settle  in  the  course  of  the  year, 
and  I hope  they  will  test  it  thoroughly.  Another  thing,  sir.  If  it 
will  have  this  effect  upon  fomites , what  effect  will  it  have  upon 
persons  ? Suppose  persons  laboring  under  yellow-fever  poison  could 
be  introduced  into  a building  where  the  temperature  is  at  a certain  de- 
gree, or  if  they  could  be  brought  within  the  influence  of  steam  which 
would  act  as  a disinfectant,  what  would  be  the  result  to  them  ? That 
question  ought  not  to  be  lost  sight  of  by  the  committee. 

Now,  sir,  in  regard  to  the  smallpox  and  the  vaccine  disease,  the 
analogy  which  Dr.  Harris  presented  in  his  paper  does  not  seem  to 
hold.  Yellow  fever  is  destroyed  by  cold;  smallpox  almost  as  effectu- 
ally by  heat, — not  as  effectually.  I speak,  sir,  from  experience  in  the 
matter.  I have  been  eight  years  among  the  poor  population  of  New 
York  city,  and  been  through  two  or  three  epidemics,  and  we  have 
never  had  an  epidemic  like  smallpox  in  New  York  during  July  and 
August. 

The  President,  pro  tern.  What  months  do  you  have  it  in  ? 

Dr.  Bibbins.  In  January  and  February,  and  the  months  when 
the  air  of  the  tenement-houses  is  pent  up. 

The  poison  is  destroyed  by  heat.  If  you  carry  the  vaccine  matter 
in  your  pocket,  it  becomes  heated,  and  its  properties  are  destroyed. 


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83 


We  preserve  it  by  subjecting  it  to  cold,  almost  to  the  freezing  point, 
and  the  cold  does  not  destroy  it.  I hope,  sir,  if  the  Committee  are  to 
present  this  subject,  that  they  will  test  this  question  fully. 

Dr.  Grant,  of  New  Jersey.  The  Report  of  Lieut.  Viele  was 
adopted  this  morning  before  I had  any  opportunity  to  make  a mo- 
tion which  I wished  to  make,  and  I therefore  take  this  occasion  to  do 
so.  I move,  sir,  that  there  be  added  to  that  Report,  on  page  42,  the 
words  “ statistics  of  disease  and  mortality,  carefully  prepared.”  It 
will  be  recollected  that  this  morning  we  adopted,  with  that  Report  of 
Lieut.  Viele,  a memorial  to  be  sent  to  the  several  municipal  authori- 
ties of  this  country,  requesting  them  to  appoint  a Committee  to  ex- 
amine and  report  upon  certain  subjects  which  are  enumerated,  and 
wish,  sir,  to  include  the  subject  I have  named  among  the  rest. 

I make  this  motion  because  I feel  an  interest  in  the  statistics  of  mor- 
tality in  this  country.  At  the  instance  of  the  Medical  Association  and 
Board  of  Health  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  I set  about  compiling  in  detail,  very 
carefully,  the  statistics  of  mortality  of  the  city  of  Newark,  comparing 
them  with  the  statistics  of  all  the  large  cities  of  this  country  that  I could 
obtain  • but  after  the  most  diligent  and  careful  inquiry,  I could  obtain 
statistics  from  only  about  six  or  seven  cities ; and  I found  that  a num- 
ber of  very  large  cities  in  this  country  have  no  statistics  whatever ; 
and  where  they  have  any,  they  are  taken  merely  from  the  reports  of 
undertakers.  I think  it  is  the  duty  of  every  municipal  body  tov  com- 
pile these  statistics,  and  compare  the  different  diseases  one  witn  an- 
other, and  each  one  with  the  whole  number  of  diseases.  I would  sug- 
gest that  the  matter  be  brought  immediately  to  the  notice  of  municipal 
bodies,  and  that  they  should  be  urged  carefully  to  compile  these  sta- 
tistics, and  that  the  Committee  report  at  the  next  meeting,  in  such 
manner  as  they  may  deem  expedient.  I trust  that  this  memorial  will 
be  responded  to  by  a large  mass  of  statistics,  which  will  be  of  very 
great  value. 

Lieut.  Viele.  I should  think  that  a letter  communicated  by  the 
President  of  the  Convention  to  the  civil  authorities,  with  the  request 
made  by  him  that  the  reply  should  be  transmitted  to  the  address  of 
the  Secretary,  when  the  reports  asked  for  shall  have  been  compiled, 
would  answer  the  purpose,  and  it  would  prevent  the  memorial  from 
being  overlooked  in  any  way. 

Dr.  Grant.  I wish  it  made  formally,  in  just  the  same  manner  as 
the  other.  I think  it  more  important  than  the  others,  if  anything. 
And  I would  say,  in  passing,  that  when  this  subject  was  up  this  morn- 
ing, some  remarks  were  made  in  regard  to  the  authorities  of  New 
Jersey,  in  connection  with  those  of  New  York.  Now,  whatever  may 
have  been  done  or  left  undone  by  the  authorities  of  other  cities,  those 
of  Newark  have  taken  up  this  matter,  and  I defy  any  man  to  point  out 
any  body  of  men  more  earnest  in  this  matter  of  sanitary  reform  than 
the  authorities  of  Newark.  They  have  requested  the  co-operation  of 
the  physicians  of  that  city,  and  they  have  not  limited  them  in  any 
way  as  to  pecuniary  resources ) and  they  have  shown  an  earnestness  in 
this  matter  well  worthy  the  attention  of  the  gentlemen  interested 
in  it. 


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National  Quarantine  Convention. 


The  President,  pro  tem.  I would  suggest  that  Dr.  Snow’s 
“ Report  on  Registration”  has  provided  for  all  that  the  gentleman 
suggests. 

Dr.  Grant.  I have  looked  over  this  Report,  and,  although  it  is 
very  able,  I think  it  fails  to  meet  the  points  I have  suggested.  This 
Report  suggests-  the  manner  in  which  the  facts  should  he  ascertained, 
while  Lieut.  Yiele  urges  the  attention  of  civil  authorities  to  points 
that  are  immediately  connected  with  sanitary  reform. 

The  President,  pro  tem.  My  point  of  order  is,  that  the  thing 
having  been  definitely  settled  by  the  action  of  the  Convention  on  that 
particular  point,  it  is  not  in  order  again. 

Dr.  Grant.  This  is  the  first  time  that  it  has  been  brought  up, 
sir. 

The  President,  pro  tem.  Exactly ; and  it  is  the  first  time  I have 
had  to  decide  upon  it. 

Dr.  Griscom,  from  the  Business  Committee,  reported  the  following 
resolution  : — 

Resolved , That  the  resolution  presented  by  Dr.  J.  Ordronaux,  for 
the  appointment  of  a Committee  on  State  Medicine,  be  referred  back 
to  the  Convention,  with  a recommendation  that  it  be  passed,  after 
omitting  the  word  all. 

Gen.  Mather  objected  to  the  resolution,  on  the  ground  that  it  was 
too  broad,  and  would  interfere  with  the  right  of  individual  members 
to  propose  subjects  for  the  consideration  of  the  Convention. 

Dr.  Griscom  and  Gen.  Wetmore  spoke  in  favor  of  the  resolution, 
maintaining  that  the  objection  to  the  resolution  proposed  by  Dr.  Or- 
dronaux was  founded  on  a misapprehension  of  its  purport,  and  that  it 
was  only  intended  that  the  Committee,  whose  appointment  was  therein 
provided  for,  should  recommend  subjects  to  be  considered, — not  them- 
selves consider, — and  report  upon  those  subjects. 

Gen.  Mather  said,  that  if  it  was  meant  that  the  Committee  should 
simply  suggest  or  recommend  to  the  Convention  certain  subjects  to  be 
referred  to  the  Committees,  and  if  it  should  be  so  expressed  in  the 
resolution,  he  should  not  have  the  slightest  objection  to  it ; but  as  the 
resolution  stood,  it  implied  a great  deal  more  than  that. 

Dr.  Arnold  (Dr.  Guthrie  in  the  chair)  took  the  floor,  and  opposed 
the  resolution,  sustaining  the  objection  raised  by  Gen.  Mather. 

Dr.  Ordronaux  defended  his  resolution,  and  explained  the  mean- 
ing of  the  words  “State  Medicine.”  He  referred  to  the  cattle  dis- 
ease, to  the  effect  upon  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  country  of  the 
privilege  given  to  mill-owners  to  overflow  meadow  lands  in  order  to  in- 
crease their  supply  of  water,  and  to  the  question  of  the  deterioration 
of  articles  of  food,  such  as  flour,  for  instance,  as  subjects  on  which  a 
Committee  on  State  Medicine  would  deem  it  proper  to  report  to  the 
Convention.  He  disclaimed  any  purpose  to  usurp  power  or  au- 
thority. This  Committee  was  not  an  executive  committee;  its  object 
was  simply  to  supply  grist  to  the  sanitary  mill. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


85 


Hon.  Moses  Kimball,  of  Boston,  spoke  briefly  in  opposition  to 
the  resolution,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks,  on  motion  of 
Aid.  Wightman,  it  was  referred  back  to  the  Committee. 

The  Convention  then  adjourned  to  Saturday  morning,  at  10  o’clock. 


THIRD  DAY. 

Saturday,  June  16,  1860. 

The  Convention  was  called  to  order  at  10  o’clock,  Dr.  Arnold, 
first  Vice-President,  in  the  chair.  The  minutes  of  the  preceding  ses- 
sion were  read  and  approved. 

On  motion,  Dr.  Timothy  Newell,  of  Providence,  was  admitted  to 
the  Convention. 

Dr.  Oriscom,  from  the  Committee  on  Business,  reported  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions  : — 

Resolved , That  the  Committee  recommend  that  the  paper  presented 
by  Dr.  E.  Harris,  of  New  York,  “ On  Heat  as  a Disinfectant,”  be 
published  in  the  Transactions  of  this  Convention. 

Resolved , That  the  Committee  recommend  to  the  Convention  the 
passage  of  the  resolution  offered  by  Dr.  Ordronaux,  modified  as  fol- 
lows, viz  : — # 

Resolved , That  a Committee  of  five  be  appointed,  to  be  called  “ The 
Committee  on  State  Medicine,”  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  report  to 
the  next  Convention  such  subjects  of  sanitary  importance  as  in  their 
judgment  require  investigation  or  legislation,  for  their  permanent  im- 
provement. 

The  first  resolution  was  adopted  without  debate. 

On  the  second,  Dr.  Harris,  of  New  York,  spoke.  He  said,  that  if  he 
understood  the  resolution  as  it  was  generally  understood  yesterday,  he 
should  vote  against  it.  It  seemed  to  be  supposed  that  the  Committee 
which  it  provides  for,  were  to  do  a work  which  the  resolution  does  not 
contemplate  having  done  by  them.  That  is,  that  they  should  take  the 
work  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Convention,  and  do  exclusively  what 
belongs  to  the  Convention  collectively.  That  would  certainly  be  very 
objectionable.  Now,  the  resolution  was  not  designed  to  accomplish 
any  such  thing.  He  said  that  he  had  himself  been  appointed,  some 
months  ago,  to  do  a work  with  reference  to  the  topography  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  for  the  purpose  of  indicating  the  malarious  dis- 
tricts of  the  State.  But  it  was  a work  which,  though  of  great  impor- 
tance, he  felt  unwilling  to  undertake.  Some  one  in  the  New  York 
State  Medical  Society  started  the  proposition  for  the  investigation 
of  that  subject;  and  so  there  are  in  every  association  individuals  who 
will  start  propositions  of  that  kind.  Since  our  organization,  three 
years  ago,  many  important  subjects  have  been  started  without  much 
previous  reflection.  Last  year,  the  Committee  that  had  charge  of  the 


86 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


arrangement  of  business  for  the  Convention  were  called  to  extempor- 
ize subjects  for  consideration.  By  a permanent  Committee,  like  that 
contemplated  by  Dr.  Ordronaux’s  resolution,  such  subjects  might  have 
been  presented  in  a better  form.  But  I confess,  now,  said  he,  that 
I am  responsible  for  all  the  improprieties  of  that  Business  Com- 
mittee. All  the  good  work  done  was  by  Dr.  Jeffries  and  others,  who 
were  wiser  than  I.  Some  weeks  ago,  in  conversation  with  Dr.  Ordro- 
naux,  I mentioned  this  subject,  and  we  freely  canvassed  the  ground 
which  in  the  course  of  time  sanitarians  would  need  to  examine  in  this 
country.  What  I really  desired  was,  that  there  should  be  a Committee 
to  do  such  a work  as  the  resolution  contemplates,  as  I understand  it. 
It  is,  that  a Committee  should  make  a special  study  of  the  questions 
that  most  deeply  concern  the  sanitary  welfare  of  cities  and  States, 
that  they  should  so  state  these  questions  as  to  present,  in  some  simple 
and  proper  form,  at  a subsequent  Convention,  a few  of  the  many  prop- 
ositions that  will  come  before  their  minds,  and  that  shall  have  been 
thoroughly  considered  by  them.  Thus,  there  will  be  before  us  a few 
of  the  most  important  questions  that  concern  the  public  health.  If  this 
work  had  been  done  four  years  ago,  we  should  not  have  attempted  to 
go  over  so  much  at  once  as  has  been  gone  over,  and  our  reports  would 
have  been  on  a more  limited  number  of  topics. 

Now  I apprehend  that  when  we  come  together  next  year,  we  shall 
want  one  or  two  propositions  presented  to  us,  — perhaps  one  will  an- 
swer,— either  on  the  subject  of  drainage,  or  some  more  comprehensive 
question;  perhaps  on  the  subject  of  vital  statistics,  or  something  not 
fully  included  in  Dr.  Snow’s  able  Report.  I do  not  know  what  it  may 
be.  After  we  have  canvassed  the  more  obvious  questions  of  public 
health,  we  have  not  got  at  the  bottom  of  them.  It  has  been  said  by 
Dr.  Simon,  in  a recent  essay,  that  much  as  we  boast  of  progress  in  sani- 
tary science,  we  are  only  at  the  threshold  of  the  Temple  of  Hygiene. 
Those  who  follow  us  twenty-five  years  hence  will  see  this. 

[Dr.  James  Jackson,  of  Boston,  was  invited  to  take  a seat  on  the 
platform  at  this  time.] 

Dr.  Harris  resumed  his  remarks.  We  should  not,  said  he,  prevent 
the  opportunity  for  any  one  to  bring  subjects  before  the  Convention. 
We  need  not  exclude  anything.  A voluntary  suggestion  may  be  as  good 
as  one  that  comes  before  us  in  a more  formal  manner.  But  I am  ex- 
ceedingly desirous  to  commit  no  more  such  blunders  as  I committed 
last  year,  and  that  if  any  proposition  is  presented,  it  shall  have  been 
carefully  considered.  What  the  resolution  contemplates,  is,  that  a Com- 
mittee shall  consider  what  line  of  investigation  may  be  most  profitable. 
It  may  be  that  the  Committee  will  not  be  able  to  present  a single 
question,  and  perhaps  they  may  present  one,  and  recommend  that  a 
Committee  be  appointed  to  take  it  into  consideration  and  report  upon 
it  at  a future  Convention. 

The  term  “ State  Medicine  ” seems  not  to  be  well  understood.  It 
is  a term  which  has  become  Anglicized,  and  is  the  best  we  can  use. 
It  is  equivalent  to  a term  first  used,  I think,  among  the  Germans  for 
the  same  purpose,  — Medicinal  Polizei , or  the  work  of  the  State  with 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


87 


reference  to  questions  of  sanitary  science.  I am  glad  it  is  used, 
though  I see  it  is  misapprehended.  The  only  great  work  we  have 
upon  the  subject  of  the  relation  of  the  State  to  medical  and  sanitary 
science,  is  entitled  “ State  Medicine,”  a very  elaborate  work,  prepared 
by  Dr.  H.  W.  Rumsey,  of  England.  I think,  therefore,  we  should  be 
warranted  in  employing  that  term,  if  the  object  of  the  Committee  is 
not  misapprehended  in  consequence  of  it.  I should  delight  to  find, 
this  morning,  that  the  Convention  are  willing  to  accept  this  view  of 
the  subject  as  the  probable  view  of  the  Committee  to  be  appointed. 

Gen.  Mather,  of  New  York,  opposed  the  resolution.  He  thought 
the  Convention  was  brought  to  the  brink  of  a precipice  by  this  reso- 
lution. He  did  not  wish  to  speak  as  an  alarmist,  but  as  a plain,  prac- 
tical man.  It  had  been  said  that  it  was  scarcely  to  be  supposed  that 
laymen  would  understand  the  scientific  terms  employed  in  the  resolu- 
tion, but  that  gentlemen  who  have  studied  the  matter  would  at  once 
comprehend  the  phraseology  which  is  used  in  it.  If  they  were  to  do 
any  good  as  a public  body,  and  were  to  meet  public  sentiment  and  ac- 
complish anything  in  this  progressive  age,  which  is  practical,  they  must 
bring  down  their  terms  to  meet  the  capacity  of  the  ignorant  class  to 
which  he  himself  belonged. 

There  had  been  various  attempts  made  by  different  gentlemen  to 
define  what  is  meant  by  “ State  Medicine,”  and  to  bring  it  down  to 
the  common  understanding.  How  had  they  succeeded  ? It  had  three 
godfathers  at  least ; and  no  two  of  them  agreed.  The  gentleman  (Dr. 
Harris)  had  said  that  the  Committee  to  be  raised  would  not  probably 
bring  forward  more  than  three  topics  for  the  consideration  of  the  Con- 
vention ; possibly  not  more  than  one.  Then  why  not  say  so  in  the 
resolution?  He  considered  it  the  same  resolution  which  was  originally 
introduced.  It  was  a resolution  that  would  undermine  this  Conven- 
tion. He  did  not  speak  extravagantly,  nor  at  random,  in  saying  this. 
He  was  warranted  by  the  manner  in  which  the  resolution  had  been 
presented.  It  was,  in  his  opinion,  a resolution  to  appoint  a Committee 
of  five  to  take  in  their  charge  the  subject  of  State  Medicine.  How 
was  that  term  defined'?  The  gentleman  who  introduced  the  resolution 
last  night,  had  said  that  it  comprehended  everything  that  relates  to 
the  general  subject,  not  limiting  it  to  particular  geographical  portions 
of  the  country,  not  limiting  it  by  the  continent.  It  is  State  Medicine. 
What  is  State  Medicine  ? According  to  the  gentleman’s  definition,  it 
embraced  that  of  England,  France,  and  every  country  on  the  globe. 
Was  the  Convention  prepared  to  vote  into  the  hands  of  five  men  every 
conceivable  subject  for  whose  consideration  this  Convention  was  or- 
ganized ? It  was  an  anomaly, — a monstrous  one  ; it  was  a proposition 
to  delegate  to  that  Committee  every  subject  that  the  Convention  was 
supposed  to  consider.  According  to  all  parliamentary  usage,  in  all 
deliberative  bodies  of  which  he  had  ever  heard,  it  was  the  right  pid 
the  duty  of  that  body  to  keep  everything  within  its  own  hands  until 
it  saw  fit  to  specifically  delegate  a particular  subject  to  a subordinate 
body  or  committee  to  consider. 

Dr.  Ordronaux  was  not  aware,  when  he  proposed  the  resolution, 
that  he  was  to  introduce  discord  into  the  Convention,  as  Satan  did  into 


88 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


Paradise.  He  was  sorry  to  find  that  the  term  “ State  Medicine”  was 
not  understood,  and  he  would  withdraw  the  resolution,  if  it  was  still  in 
his  power  to  do  so.  He  appealed  to  the  Chair  to  decide  that  point. 

Mr.  J.  M.  Wightman,  of  Boston,  a member  of  the  Business  Com- 
mittee that  had  reported  back  the  resolution  this  morning,  thought  it 
could  not  be  withdrawn  by  the  mover.  It  was  now  the  property  of 
the  Convention.  Mr.  Wightman  was  proceeding  to  speak,  and  pro- 
testing against  the  withdrawal  of  the  resolution,  when  he  was  called 
to  order  by  Hr.  G-riscom,  of  New  York,  who  made  the  point  of  order, 
that  the  only  question  before  the  Convention  was,  whether  the  resolu- 
tion could  be  withdrawn,  and  appealed  to  the  Chair  to  decide  that 
point. 

The  Chair  said  : It  is  a well-known  fact  that  a resolution  can  be 
withdrawn  by  the  mover  before  it  comes  into  the  hands  of  the  Con- 
vention and  the  Convention  act  upon  it.  Afterward,  it  is  different. 
If  the  question  is  raised,  the  Chair  will  decide  it. 

Dr.  Griscom.  Is  it  in  order  ? 

The  Chair  will  decide,  if  it  is  brought  before  the  Convention. 

After  some  further  remarks  by  gentlemen,  the  Chair  decided 
that  the  resolution  could  not  be  withdrawn. 

Hr.  Jewell.  If  I supposed  there  was  anything  behind  the  curtain 
in  connection  with  this  resolution,  or  that  it  was  going  to  place  this 
Convention  upon  the  brink  of  a precipice,  or  was  intended  to  substitute 
a Special  Committee  for  it,  I should  coincide  with  what  Gen.  Mather 
has  said  against  it.  I look  upon  it  as  merely  a suggestion  that  there 
shall  be  a Committee  that  will  meet  during  the  recess  of  the  Conven- 
tion and  prepare  business,  and  that  when  it  reports  it  shall  be  for 
the  Convention  to  decide  whether  the  subjects  brought  forward  in  a 
careful  manner,  shall  be  the  topics  to  be  considered  by  the  Convention 
for  the  following  year.  If  it  is  anything  more  than  that,  I shall  vote 
against  it.  There  is  a vast  field  for  us  to  go  over ; we  all  need  in- 
formation ; we  want  it  from  those  who  are  capable  of  giving  it  \ we 
want  to  know  where  the  most  important  matters  are,  upon  which  we 
can  lay  our  hands, — those  which  are  most  important  for  sanitary  legis- 
lation. When  we  have  them  before  us,  we  can  appoint  Committees  to 
report  the  following  year ; not  that  this  Committee  is  going  to  swallow 
up  the  Convention  ; not  that  this  Convention  is  going  to  yield  an  iota 
of  power,  and  shut  out  those  who  are  desirous  to  bring  their  views 
before  it.  It  does  not  for  a moment  interfere  with  the  privilege  of  the 
gentleman  from  New  York  to  suggest  subjects.  This  Committee  makes 
no  report  upon  any  particular  subject.  These  are  my  views  of  the 
resolution.  I have  my  own  views  of  what  “ State  Medicine”  means. 
It  means,  though  Gen.  Mather  has  rather  ridiculed  it,  that  it  relates  to 
every  thing  that  bears  upon  sanitary  reform. 

Hr,  Griscom  called  for  the  previous  question. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


89 


Mr.  Wightman  begged  him  to  withdraw  his  motion  for  a few 
moments  to  give  him  an  opportunity  to  explain  his  views,  promising 
to  renew  the  motion. 

Dr.  Griscom  yielded  to  the  request,  and  Mr.  Wightman  called  at- 
tention to  the  terms  of  the  resolution  itself,  to  which  he  thought  the 
discussion  so  far  had  had  little  reference.  Is  it  not  better,  said  he, 
that  three  or  five  gentlemen  be  selected,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  keep 
a record  of  subjects  which  members  may  desire  to  have  presented  to 
the  Convention  from  time  to  time,  and  to  bring  forward  from  them 
such  as  they  may  think  important,  than  to  leave  the  matter  to  every 
one  who  comes  here  with  a subject  that  he  has  an  idea  ought  to  be 
discussed  ? Is  it  to  be  left  to  a Convention  which  is  changing  every 
year  to  bring  forward  subjects  so  important  as  the  public  health  ? 
No,  sir.  Let  these  gentlemen  who  have  special  subjects,  which  they 
desire  to  have  investigated,  come  and  present  them.  This  resolution 
does  nothing  to  prevent  it.  It  simply  provides  for  the  appointment 
of  a definite  number  of  gentlemen,  who  are  peculiarly  qualified  for  the 
business,  who  shall  bring  forward  subjects  before  the  Convention,  and 
suggest  that  a Committee  be  appointed  on  any  subject  which  in  their 
opinion  involves  the  public  health. 

That  is  the  whole  question,  whether  there  shall  be  a Committee 
whose  business  it  shall  be  to  see  to  the  preparation  of  business  for  the 
discussion  of  the  Convention.  I renew  the  motion  for  the  previous 
question. 

The  President  then  called  Mayor  Knight,  of  Providence,  to  the 
Chair,  who  stated  the  question  before  the  Convention  to  be,  whether 
the  previous  question  should  be  ordered. 

Gen.  Mather  rose  to  a question  of  privilege.  He  claimed  that  he 
had  the  floor,  and  yielded  it  to  a gentleman  for  explanation. 

Gen.  Wetmore  called  the  gentleman  to  order,  stating  that  the 
question  was  only  on  ordering  the  previous  question. 

Gen.  Mather.  I disavow  any  such  order. 

The  Chair.  The  Chair  understands  that  the  question  is,  Shall  the 
previous  question  be  sustained  ? 

After  some  further  irregular  suggestions  the  previous  question  was 
ordered. 

The  question  then  recurred  on  the  passage  of  the  resolution,  on 
which  Gen.  Mather  called  for  the  yeas  and  nays.  They  were  ordered, 
and  being  taken,  the  resolution  was  passed, — yeas  46,  nays  16. 

Dr.  Guthrie,  of  Tennessee,  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  Hon. 
Edward  Everett  was  in  the  hall,  and  moved  that  he  be  invited  to 
honor  the  Convention  by  taking  a seat  on  the  platform.  (Applause.) 

On  taking  his  seat  on  the  platform,  Mr.  Everett  said  : — 

I am  greatly  indebted  to  you  for  this  unexpected  compliment.  I 
came  here  as  one  of  the  citizens  at  large,  to  be  instructed  in  your  pro- 
12 


90 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


ceedings.  I am  very  sensible  of  the  honor  you  have  been  pleased  to 
do  me  in  asking  me  to  take  a seat  on  the  platform.  (Applause.) 

lion.  Moses  Kimball,  of  Boston,  said  he  was  sorry  to  be  deprived 
of  the  privilege  of  expressing  his  views  on  the  passage  of  the  resolu- 
tion, by  the  motion  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  for  the  pre- 
vious question, — a most  unprecedented  motion  for  the  Chairman  of  a 
Committee  to  make  on  his  own  report.  And  then  one  of  his  associ- 
ates had  helped  to  put  on  the  gag-law. 

As  he  understood  the  resolution,  it  would  not  accomplish  what  was 
claimed  for  it.  The  matter  was  fully  discussed  yesterday,  and  a 
motion  to  lay  the  resolution  on  the  table  failed,  and  then  it  was  re- 
ferred to  a Committee.  But  here  comes  the  same  Monsieur  Tonson 
again,  who  was  objected  to  yesterday  afternoon.  It  is  now  proposed 
to  appoint  a Committee  to  report  subjects  to  be  considered.  They  are 
to  come  in  with  a list,  recommending  that  Committees  be  appointed 
upon  such  and  such  subjects.  It  is  objectionable  in  other  respects  ; 
it  monopolizes  all  the  business  of  the  Convention ) for  the  Committee 
and  not  the  Convention  are  to  report  at  once  upon  subjects  which  they 
may  deem  important,  which  subjects  this  Convention  might  not  deem 
important  to  send  to  Committees. 

I am  sorry,  because  you  will  lose  subjects  which  gentlemen  wish  to 
present,  and  which  might  not  come  from  this  Committee.  A gentle- 
man has  said  it  will  not  exclude  anything.  That  is  my  objection.  It 
embraces  everything.  There  might  be  brought  in  all  manner  of 
sanitary  measures.  The  gentleman  is  exactly  right ; it  don’t  exclude 
anything ) it  gives  this  Committee  power  to  go  and  glean  out  the 
bright  sheaves  which  are  referred  to  other  Committees.  The  gentle- 
man says  it  does  not  recommend  anything  specifically.  There  I 
object  to  it  again.  It  will  not  bring  forth  anything  at  all,  or,  if  any- 
thing, it  will  be  a still-birth. 

I think  this  resolution  should  go  back  to  the  Committee.  Then 
pass  the  original  resolution  of  Dr.  Ordronaux,  and  place  him  on  the 
Committee.  When  that  Committee  report,  let  the  Chair  select  gen- 
tlemen who  are  familiar  with  the  subjects  which  are  to  be  considered. 

This  making  up  a sort  of  mutual  admiration  arrangement,  by  which 
five  gentlemen  are  to  dictate  what  is  to  be  considered  and  what  not,  I 
object  to.  I wish  that  every  gentleman  may  ask  to  have  introduced 
any  subject  that  he  may  deem  important.  Let  each  subject  be 
referred  to  a proper  Committee.  I do  not  think  all  the  wisdom  in 
creation  is  confined  to  the  brains  of  gentlemen  who  are  dubbed  with  a 
title.  I do  not  believe  that  M.  Ds.  or  D.  Ds.  possess  all  the 
information  in  the  world.  If  they  would  be  willing  to  be  taught  by 
common  men,  who  look  with  common  eyes,  and  to  receive  the  sug- 
gestions of  such  men,  they  would  abandon  some  of  their  present 
notions,  and  a better  state  of  things  would  exist.  I mean  no  disre- 
spect to  those  able  gentlemen  ; but  I submit  that  there  are,  outside  of 
their  ranks,  those  who  may  be  able  to  give  them  suggestions  which 
may  be  valuable  to  them. 

I have  heard  no  objection  to  the  resolution  which  was  reported  last 
night.  And  if  any  reasons  have  been  given  why  the  modified  resolu- 


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91 


tion  should  be  adopted, there  has  been  no  opportunity  given  for  others 
to  reply,  inasmuch  as  the  Committee  moved  the  adoption  of  the  pre- 
vious question.  I hope  the  Convention  will  have  an  opportunity  to 
consider  the  matter  fully,  and  that  the  vote  will  be  reconsidered.  I 
therefore  move  the  reconsideration  of  the  last  vote. 

Dr.  GrRiscoM.  I take  the  floor  to  answer  a personality,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  explain  the  course  of  the  Committee.  In  consent- 
ing to  occupy  the  onerous  position  of  a member  of  the  Business  Com- 
mittee, taking  up  much  extra  time,  and  depriving  myself  during  this 
visit  to  Boston,  of  the  opportunity  of  seeing  many  of  its  curiosities, 
and  places  of  interest,  I did  not  suppose  I was  depriving  myself  of  the 
privileges  of  a member  of  the  Convention ; and  that  I should  be  ac- 
cused of  trying  to  cut  off  debate  (already  protracted)  while  my  sole  mo- 
tive was  to  save  time,  so  as  to  have  an  opportunity  to  go  home  in  sea- 
son, is,  I think,  a charge  that  I should  repel  as  it  deserves. 

If  the  honorable  gentleman  — for  I understand  he  is  a member  of 
the  Senate,  and  in  that  capacity  is  honorable  — had  been  here  yester- 
day afternoon  and  this  morning,  and  heard  the  discussion  on  the 
resolution,  he  would  not  have  made  the  gross  insinuations  he  has  in 
his  remarks.  It  is  without  the  slightest  foundation  that  he  has  made 
another  mistake.  He  has  told  us  that  this  Committee  is  to  report  sub- 
jects for  next  year,  and  that  there  will  be  nothing  for  the  Convention 
to  do.  I beg  pardon.  The  Convention  will  have  several  reports.  The 
President  has  already  appointed  several  Committees  who  will  report 
next  year.  And  this  Committee  will  have  to  report  also.  The  next 
Convention  will  have  plenty  to  do  to  receive  reports  of  Committees 
appointed  this  morning.  This  is  merely  a Business  Committee  to  bring 
forward  business  next  year.  The  Business  Committee  this  year  did  not 
have  time,  and  the  Committee  on  State  Medicine  is  to  prepare  business. 
The  name  seems  to  be  a stumbling-block ; but  it  is  a term  which 
should  be  learned  by  the  people.  They  will  know  it  before  all  of  us 
go  into  the  grave.  I think  the  subject  has  been  sufficiently  discussed; 
and,  although  I maybe  charged  with  usurping  a position  here  which  I 
should  not,  I move  to  lay  the  motion  to  reconsider  on  the  table. 

The  motion  was  agreed  to,  22  to  21. 

Dr.  Guthrie,  of  Tennessee,  moved  that  a Committee  be  raised  on 
the  resolution  just  passed;  and  said  that  this  was  the  first  time  he  had 
had  an  opportunity  to  offer  an  explanation  of  the  report  of  the  Busi- 
ness Committee,  and  he  wished,  since  it  was  decided  to  have  a Com- 
mittee in  accordance  with  that  Beport,  that  the  nomination  might  be 
made  in  the  Convention  at  large. 

Dr.  Harris,  of  New  York,  seconded  the  motion  of  Dr.  Guthrie. 
Though  he  believed  a good  Committee  would  be  appointed  by  the 
Chair,  yet  there  was  an  impression  on  the  part  of  some  that  it  would 
be  an  imperium  in  imperio , and  would  be  a bad  power.  He  had  a 
strong  desire  that  the  Convention  should  be  a popular  body,  and  if 
the  members  of  the  Committee  could  be  elected  by  the  Convention,  in 


92 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


open  session,  it  would  help  to  relieve  the  subject  from  the  wrong  view 
that  has  been  taken  of  it. 

The  motion  was  agreed  to,  and  the  following  gentlemen  were  nomi- 
nated : — 

Dr.  John  Ordronaux,of  New  York  ; Moses  Kimball,  of  Boston  ; Gen. 
Mather,  of  New  York;  Dr.  Jewell,  of  Philadelphia;  Dr.  A.  N.  Mc- 
Laren, of  the  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Jewell  peremptorily  declined  to  serve  on  the  Committee,  giving 
as  a reason,  that  there  was  a great  dissatisfaction  on  the  subject  of  the 
resolution,  which  had  come  to  his  ears.  He  could  not  serve  on  the 
Committee  when  he  knew  it  would  be  a divided  body. 

Dr.  Jewell  was  excused,  and  Dr.  A.  La  Boche,  of  Philadelphia,  was 
nominated  in  his  place. 

Dr.  Bell,  of  Brooklyn,  moved  that  speakers  be  limited  to  five  minutes 
each,  during  the  remainder  of  the  session,  which  motion  was  passed. 

Dr.  Ordronaux  asked  to  withdraw  his  name  as  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  just  raised,  and  from  the  Committee  itself,  from  the  fact 
that  the  purity  of  the  motives  of  those  who  saw  fit  to  support  the 
resolution,  had  been  questioned.  He  did  not  wish  to  contend  with 
men  for  the  poor  privilege  of  doing  them  a favor.  As  he  could  not 
sit  in  that  Committee  with  his  skirts  pure,  except  in  his  own  con- 
science, and  inasmuch  as  there  was  a division  of  opinion  as  to  the  ex- 
pediency of  having  such  a Committee,  he  would  ask  to  be  excused 
from  serving  on  it. 

Mr.  Wightman,  of  Boston,  hoped  there  would  be  such  an  expres- 
sion by  a vote  of  the  Convention,  as  would  induce  Dr.  Ordronaux  to 
withdraw  his  request  to  be  excused.  They  needed  and  must  have  his 
experience  on  the  Committee. 

Dr.  Stone,  of  Boston,  concurred  in  the  hope  expressed  by  Mr. 
Wightman.  He  hoped  the  gentleman  would  be  retained  by  acclama- 
tion. 

Dr.  Stevens,  of  New  York,  expressed  the  hope  that  the  era  of 
good  feeling  which  had  so  eminently  distinguished  the  Conven- 
tion, had  returned,  and  that  his  friend,  Dr.  Ordronaux,  would  be 
induced  to  reconsider  his  purpose  and  withdraw  his  request.  With- 
out meaning  to  flatter  the  gentleman,  he  said  they  could  not  spare 
his  services.  (Applause.) 

Dr.  Arnold,  of  Savannah,  said,  that  as  the  sense  of  the  majority 
of  the  Convention  had  gone  against  his  views  with  regard  to  the  reso- 
lution, he  bowed  to  the  decision.  And  now,  as  the  Committee  was  to 
be  raised,  every  principle  of  parliamentary  usage  required  that  Dr. 
Ordronaux  should  be  the  Chairman.  He  hoped  it  would  be  unani- 
mously voted  to  him.  (Applause.) 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


93 


The  Convention  unanimously  refused  to  excuse  Dr.  Ordronaux. 

Gen.  Wetmore,  of  New  York,  then  rose  and  said  : — 

Mr.  President:  We  are  approaching  the  termination  of  our  labors; 
useful,  I trust,  they  will  prove  to  have  been  ; and  the  excitement  which 
may  have  grown  out  of  special  acts,  I trust  will  pass  away  with  the 
occasion.  The  last  vote  is  auspicious  of  the  return  of  good  feeling. 
It  was  eminently  a just  decision,  as  well  to  the  Convention  at  large  as 
to  the  gentleman  whose  name  is  associated  with  the  movement. 

There  is  a duty  which  remains  for  us  to  perform,  and  one  portion  of 
it  has  fallen  to  my  hands.  The  Convention  assembled  in  this  city 
upon  the  invitation  of  its  mayor.  We  came  here,  sir,  simply  to  dis- 
charge a duty  of  business, — of  business  which  affected  the  whole  com- 
munity and  the  country,  in  which  some  of  us  felt  a deep  interest,  and 
in  which  all  who  have  assembled  here  have  evinced  a corresponding 
solicitude.  I trust  that  this  will  not  prove  to  have  been  a contempo- 
rary organization,  that  it  will  not  speedily  pass  away,  but  that  the  time 
is  not  far  distant  when  the  permanent  establishment  of  a society  de- 
voted to  the  interests  of  sanitary  science  will  be  accomplished. 

We  came  here  simply  to  meet  the  citizens  of  Boston  as  business 
men,  and  we  only  expected  such  accommodations  as  could  be  conven- 
iently offered  for  the  dispatch  of  business.  But  from  the  time  we  en- 
tered the  bounds  of  the  city  until  the  present  moment,  we  have 
received  nothing  but  the  warmest  expressions  and  kindest  courtesies 
of  its  citizens.  The  time  has  come  for  the  public  acknowledgment, 
by  the  members  of  the  Convention,  of  the  hospitality  which  has 
been  extended  to  them.  (Applause.)  The  affluence  of  these  courtesies 
renders  us  bankrupt  of  thanks.  We  cannot  sufficiently  express,  in  the 
plain  language  of  a resolution,  all  that  we  owe  to  the  authorities  of 
Boston. 

We  had  the  opportunity,  yesterday,  of  visiting  some  of  the  institu- 
tions which  owe  their  organization,  their  nourishment,  and  support,  to 
the  Councils  representing  the  City  of  Boston ; and,  coming  as  I do 
from  a city  supposed  to  be  somewhat  proud  of  what  it  has  received 
from  the  hands  of  nature,  and  what  it  has  done  to  improve  the  benefi- 
cent kindness  of  Providence  in  regard  to  location,  I must  confess  to 
you  that  what  I saw  yesterday  made  me  very  doubtful  whether  it 
has  any  advantages  at  all  over  the  city  of  Boston.  I saw  Massachu- 
setts Bay,  which  I looked  upon  for  the  first  time  in  my  life,  with  emo- 
tions which  I cannot  express.  I saw  the  waters  upon  which  floated 
the  tea  as  it  was  thrown  over  by  the  hands  of  patriotism  before  we  had 
a national  name.  Sir,  no  American  can  look  upon  that  bay  and  forget 
its  history.  I saw  the  islands  devoted  to  charity  and  benevolence,  and 
could  not  but  notice  the  admirable  manner  in  which  all  the  institu- 
tions designed  for  such  purposes  are  managed  and  conducted  by  the 
authorities  of  Boston.  If  I required  any  definite  reasons  for  feeling 
proud  of  my  native  New  England,  I found  them  in  the  evidences 
before  me  of  an  active  spirit  of  enlarged  humanity. 

These  are  the  considerations,  briefly  and  imperfectly  stated,  why  I 
shall  offer  the  resolution  which  I am  about  to  read  ; and  I call  upon 
my  associates  to  give  it  a hearty  support,  as  I know  they  will  do. 


94 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


Resolved , That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  are  due  and  hereby 
tendered  to  the  City  Councils  of  Boston,  for  the  noble-spirited  hospi- 
tality and  graceful  courtesy  extended  by  them  to  the  members  of  this 
Convention,  during  its  present  session  in  this  city. 

Dr.  Jewell.  I rise  at  this  moment  to  present  a resolution  to 
which  I know  the  whole  of  this  body  will  cordially  respond  : — 

Resolved , That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  presented  to  our 
President,  for  the  admirable  manner  in  which  he  has  presided  over  it. 

The  resolution  was  adopted  unanimously. 

Dr.  Gilman,  of  Baltimore.  I move  that  the  thanks  of  this  Con- 
vention be  presented  to  the  Massachusetts  Charitable  Mechanic 
Association,  who  have  kindly  and  generously  offered  us,  gratuitously, 
the  use  of  this  beautiful  hall.  Adopted. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Griscom,  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  were 
tendered  to  Dr.  Calvin  Ellis,  for  his  efficient  performance  of  the  duties 
of  Secretary. 

Dr.  Jewell  then  called  up  his  resolution,  offered  yesterday,  in 
regard  to  the  non-transmission  of  yellow  fever,  and  remarked  that  he 
had  not  a word  to  say  in  reference  to  the  reaffirmation  of  the  senti- 
ments of  the  last  Convention.  He  wanted  the  preamble  and  resolu- 
tion to  stand  or  fall  upon  their  own  merits. 

The  question  was  then  put,  and  the  preamble  and  resolution  were 
adopted  unanimously. 

Mr.  G.  H.  Snelling,  of  Boston,  rose  to  offer  a resolution,  which 
he  introduced  with  the  following  remarks  : — 

On  Saturday  last,  I was  passing  through  one  of  our  streets,  on  my 
way  to  call  upon  a member  of  the  Legislature,  when  I was  overtaken 
by  a shower,  and  found  refuge  in  a carpenter’s  shop.  After  a few 
moments  of  conversation  upon  general  subjects,  such  as  the  effect  of 
planing  machines,  &c.  upon  labor,  I alluded  to  the  subject  of  the  divi- 
sion of  the  hours  of  labor,  and  the  very  intelligent  person  with  whom  I 
was  conversing  remarked  to  me  that  it  would  be  of  great  advantage  if 
they  could  have  a half  hour  added  to  the  hour  usually  allowed  for 
dinner.  “ We  could  begin  work,”  he  said,  “ at  half  past  six,  in- 
stead of  seven  o’clock,  and  that  would  give  us  an  hour  and  a half  of 
recess  for  the  midday  meal.  We  work  often  aft  a great  distance  from 
our  boarding-places,  and  we  are  obliged  to  run  to  our  meals  and  return 
in  great  haste.  I have  to  look  after  the  tool-chest,  and  I must  be 
there,  or  I shall  be  complained  of.  If  I could  have  half  an  hour  of 
rest,  my  work  would  be  much  more  efficient,  but  as  it  is,  for  two  or 
three  hours,  I am  not  fit  for  work.”  In  view  of  this  fact,  I think  it 
would  be  proper  for  an  association  like,  this  to  recommend  to  master 
mechanics  a change  in  this  respect,  and  I therefore  propose  this  reso- 
lution : — 

Resolved , That  this  Convention  earnestly  recommend  to  master 
mechanics  to  adopt  such  a division  of  the  hours  of  labor,  for  those  in 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


95 


their  employ,  as  will  allow  of  an  hour  and  a half,  instead  of  an  hour, 
as  is  now  customary  for  the  midday  meal. 

I consider  that  that  half  hour  after  the  meal  would  be  a reservoir 
of  strength.  It  is  not  proper  for  me,  not  being  of  the  medical  profes- 
sion, to  enter  into  the  physiological  reasons  of  this,  but  I presume  it 
is  generally  acknowledged.  I remember  an  incident  which  a gentle- 
man reported  to  me  of  a near  relative  of  Dr.  Andrew  Combe,  who  came 
over  to  this  country  to  take  charge  of  a brewery  establishment.  He 
chose  to  remain  at  his  midday  meal  longer  than  was  customary,  and 
his  employers  began  to  remonstrate,  and  said,  “ We  must  cut  down 
your  salary.”  “ Do  it, ” said  he;  “ I would  rather  have  less  salary 
and  a longer  life.” 

These  laws  of  our  organization  are  immutable.  We  have  no 
alternative  but  to  conform  to  them.  In  this  connection,  I cannot  but 
repeat  what  a friend  of  mine,  whose  death  every  one  laments,  Horace 
Mann,  once  said  to  me.  “ There  is  a game  which  boys  frequently 
play  in  the  country,  in  which,  seating  themselves  on  the  ground,  with 
their  feet  planted  one  against  another,  and  a stick  held  in  their  hands, 
each  endeavors  to  pull  the  other  up.  The  game  is  called  “ pull-stick.” 
“You  can’t,”  said  Mr.  Mann,  “ pull-stick  against  God  ! He’ll  throw 
you  — over  the  orbit  of  Jupiter  ! ” 

I consider  that  those  gentlemen,  the  master  mechanics  of  Boston, 
who  have  built  this  beautiful  monument  to  their  skill  and  taste,  and 
to  whom  we  have  just  passed  a resolution  of  thanks,  would  build  a 
nobler  monument  to  their  humanity  by  the  adoption  of  such  a 
measure. 

Dr.  Stevens  seconded  the  motion,  and  said  : — 

It  is  well  known  that  the  digestion  of  food  especially  when  taken 
hurriedly,  and  to  the  extent  of  a full  meal,  is  entirely  suspended  by 
violent  exercise  or  hard  labor, — not  less  in  man  than  in  dogs  and 
horses.  Allowing  one  hour  as  the  shortest  time  from  the  commence- 
ment of  a sufficient  noon-day  meal  to  the  resumption  of  labor,  the 
present  interval  may  appear  unobjectionable.  But  in  point  of  fact,  the 
laborer  often  goes  some  distance  from  the  place  of  his  work  and  must 
return  to  it  again  within  the  sixty  minutes.  If  pressed  for  time,  he  is 
tempted  to  prepare  himself  for  his  afternoon  work  by  taking  only  half 
a dinner  or  no  dinner  at  all ; making  matters  right  by  strong  drink. 
This  leads  to  intemperance.  In  my  boyhood  I knew  a drayman,  a man 
who  was  occupying  a very  confidential  and  profitable  position  with  an 
eminent  merchant,  during  a period  of  great  pressure  in  the  unloading 
of  a vessel,  with  a retinue  of  other  draymen  under  his  direction.  In 
his  zeal  to  expedite  the  job,  on  one  occasion,  after  having  taken  only  the 
ordinary  allowance  of  spirits,  he  hurried  to  his  work  without  touching, 
his  dinner.  Intoxication  was  the  result,  and  with  it  the  loss  of  place, 
the  loss  of  character,  and  ultimate  ruin.  The  merchant  would  have 
forgiven  and  retained  him,  but  he  was  humiliated,  his  self-respect  was 
gone,  and  he  was  a ruined  man.  This  case  made  a strong  impression 
upon  my  own  mind,  and  I have  heard  of  many  others  more  or  less  like  it. 

How  far  the  lengthening  the  nooning  interval  would  tend  to  correct 


96 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


the  evils  of  hasty  dinners,  and  the  too  speedy  resumption  of  labor  after- 
wards, I am  not  prepared  to  say,  but  inquiries  in  this  direction  will  be 
useful.  I shall  therefore  cast  my  vote  for  Mr.  Snelling’s  Resolution. 

Dr.  Griscom.  I regard  this  subject  as  of  too  great  importance  to 
be  dismissed  by  this  Convention  by  the  simple  adoption  of  Mr.  Snell- 
ing’s  resolution.  I trust  I may  be  allowed  to  introduce  another  : — 

Resolved , That  this  resolution  be  referred  to  a Special  Committee,  of 
whom  the  mover  shall  be  the  chairman,  to  report  at  the  next  Conven- 
tion, giving  the  reasons,  in  extenso , why  it  should  be  adopted. 

Dr.  Jewell.  I like  the  motion  of  my  friend  Dr.  Griscom.  I had 
intended  to  make  a similar  remark,  that  this  was  too  important  a sub- 
ject to  be  disposed  of  hastily,  and  it  was  my  intention  to  move,  as  an 
amendment,  that  a Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  consider  and 
report  upon  the  best  plan  for  such  a division  of  the  hours  of  labor 
among  all  classes  of  the  community  as  shall  be  promotive  of  health. 
I think  if  we  can  have  the  services  of  the  mover  of  that  resolution, 
who,  I understand,  is  deeply  interested  in  the  subject  of  sanitary 
reform  in  this  city,  we  shall  have  a report  which  will  do  credit  to  our 
efforts  in  this  great  work,  and  which  we  shall  be  better  satisfied  in 
sending  abroad  to  the  world,  rather  than  to  pass  it  in  the  simple  form 
of  a resolution,  which  will  never  reach  the  eyes  of  those  interested. 

Mr.  C.  C.  Savage,  of  New  York.  I think  it  would  be  found  that  the 
resolution,  if  adopted,  would  be  too  local.  The  mechanics  in  New 
York  would  not  be  governed  by  such  a resolution  as  that.  The  habits 
of  life,  and  of  living  away  from  their  work,  would  be  found  to  inter- 
fere with  such  a plan.  But,  by  referring  the  resolution  to  a commit- 
tee, it  could  then  be  seen  what  alteration  might  be  made,  so  as  to 
adapt  it  to  various  localities. 

Dr.  Curtis.  I hope  that  the  resolution  may  be  made  sufficiently 
broad  to  include  the  hours  of  study  in  school,  and  the  propriety  of 
giving  studies  to  be  pursued  out  of  school  hours. 

The  amendment  proposed  by  Dr.  Jewell  was  adopted,  and  the  reso- 
lution then  passed. 

Dr.  Mead,  of  Cincinnati,  extended  a cordial  invitation  to  the  Con- 
vention to  hold  its  next  session  in  that  city.  He  believed  that  the 
usefulness  of  the  Association  would  be  vastly  extended  by  taking  that 
locality  as  the  place  for  its  next  meeting. 

Dr.  Jones,  of  Brooklyn,  stated  that  the  Mayor  of  that  city  had 
authorized  him  to  extend  an  invitation  to  the  Convention  to  meet 
there  next  year.  He  could  promise  the  Convention,  if  the  invitation 
was  accepted,  an  effort,  at  least,  on  the  part  of  the  authorities  of 
Brooklyn,  to  receive  them  in  a manner  that  would  not  contrast  unfa- 
vorably with  the  reception  they  had  received  in  Boston. 

Dr.  Bell,  of  Brooklyn,  seconded  the  invitation  tendered  by  Dr. 
Jones. 

Gen.  Mather.  I avail  myself  of  the  first  opportunity,  without  in- 
terrupting other  gentlemen,  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Convention  to 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


97 


the  fact  that  I was  appointed  to  the  Committee  on  State  Medicine,  and 
to  state  that  I most  heartily  and  earnestly  desire,  not  from  any  affecta- 
tion, or  any  peculiar  sensitiveness,  but  for  reasons  best  known  to  my- 
self, to  be  excused  from  serving  on  that  Committee. 

On  motion,  Gen.  Mather  was  excused,  and  Dr.  Guthrie  nominated 
Dr.  Ilobert  Thompson,  of  Ohio,  to  fill  the  vacancy,  stating  that  he  was 
a gentleman  located  further  west  than  any  other  named  on  the  Com- 
mittee, and  one  who  could  bring  a great  many  new  subjects  into  the 
discussions  of  the  Convention. 

Dr.  Thompson  declined,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  not  acquainted 
with  the  scope  of  the  subject. 

Gen.  Mather  offered  the  following  resolution  : — 

Resolved , That  nothing  contained  in  the  resolution  relative  to  the 
appointment  of  a Committee  on  State  Medicine  shall  prevent  this 
Convention  from  referring,  at  any  time,  any  matter  embraced  therein, 
to  any  committee  or  committees,  nor  prevent  any  individual  from 
bringing  proper  matter  before  the  Convention. 

Dr.  Griscom.  There  is  no  objection  to  the  resolution,  except  that 
it  is  entirely  unnecessary.  We  have  a perfect  demonstration  of  the 
truth  of  what  I say,  in  the  fact  that  Mr.  Snelling’s  motion  has  been 
already  referred  to  a special  Committee,  after  the  passage  of  that  res- 
olution on  “ State  Medicine.” 

The  resolution  was  adopted. 

Dr.  E.  B.  Elliot,  of  Boston,  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  adopted : — 

Resolved , That  a Committee  of  five  be  appointed,  to  report  a uni- 
form plan  for  maps  of  the  physical  geography  of  cities  for  statistical 
and  sanitary  purposes,  with  a view  of  obtaining  the  construction  of 
such  maps  by  the  several  municipal  governments. 

Dr.  Grant,  of  New  Jersey,  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  adopted : — 

Resolved , That  this  Convention,  as  one  of  the  means  of  sanitary 
reform,  urges  upon  the  municipal  authorities  and  boards  of  health  of 
the  several  States,  to  collect  and  carefully  arrange  complete  statistics 
of  births,  marriages,  and  deaths,  and  also  of  disease,  meteorology,  and 
epidemics,  except  in  cases  where  this  work  is  provided  for. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Bell,  it  was  voted  that  two  members  be  added  by 
the  Chair  to  the  Committee  on  External  Hygiene. 

Dr.  Griscom.  An  order  was  passed  yesterday,  referring  a subject 
to  the  Committee  on  Civic  Cleanliness.  It  is  therefore  necessary  that 
that  Committee  should  be  continued,  and  I make  a motion  to  that 
effect. 

The  motion  was  adopted. 

Dr.  Snow,  of  Providence,  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  adopted  : — 


13 


98 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


Resolved , That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  he  presented  to  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  Public  Institutions  of  the  City  of  Boston, 
for  the  pleasant  excursion  which  has  afforded  us  an  opportunity  to 
visit  these  institutions,  and  for  their  princely  hospitality,  which  we 
have  so  much  enjoyed. 

Aid.  Clapp,  of  Boston.  I hold  in  my  hand  a resolution  which  I 
propose  to  offer,  and  which  I shall  claim  the  right  to  withdraw  if  it 
leads  to  any  discussion.  In  looking  at  the  printed  reports  presented 
to  the  Convention  I notice  three  different  forms.  It  is  very  desirable, 
with  reference  to  convenience  and  economy,  that  a uniform  page 
should  be  adopted,  and  I have  prepared  a resolution  for  that  purpose. 
I will  say,  in  passing,  that  if  gentlemen  will  look  at  the  reports  of  the 
English  government,  and  of  English  societies  of  this  character,  they 
will  obtain  hints  of  value  in  relation  to  this  matter. 

Ordered , That  the  Business  Committee  be  requested  to  consider  the 
expediency  of  recommending  a standard  page,  on  which  all  reports, 
papers,  or  addresses,  to  the  Convention,  shall  be  printed,  in  order 
that  the  same  may  be  bound  in  volumes  of  a uniform  size. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Lyman,  of  Boston,  it  was  voted , that  Dr.  J.  B. 
Alley,  Superintendent  of  the  Boston  Dispensary,  be  added  to  the 
Committee  on  Dispensaries. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Bell,  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  were  voted 
to  Mayor  Lincoln,  not  only  as  Mayor,  but  as  Chairman  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee. 

Dr.  Griscom.  By  the  courtesy  of  Dr.  Clark,  of  Boston,  I have  in 
my  possession  a few  copies  of  a volume  entitled  “ Bell’s  Sanitary  De- 
port/’ It  comprises  three  papers  presented  to  the  Convention  last 
year,  which  have  been  put  in  a separate  form  at  the  expense  of  the 
Common  Council  of  New  York,  and  several  other  cities— Troy,  Boston, 
Providence,  Baltimore,  Philadelphia — have  subscribed  for  large  num- 
bers of  this  work,  to  be  distributed  gratuitously  among  the  people.  It 
is  a volume  which  those  who  have  read  must  acknowledge  has  not  its 
equal  in  the  presentation  of  the  subject  of  internal  hygiene  to  the 
good  sense  of  the  mass  of  the  community ; and  I hope  that  every  city 
of  the  United  States  will  find  itself  at  liberty,  in  some  way  or  other, 
to  purchase  a sufficient  number  of  copies  of  this  book  to  distribute 
among  the  "people,  or  that  there  will  be  a subscription  raised  among 
the  citizens,  if  the  authorities  of  any  city  do  not  feel  at  liberty  to 
appropriate  money  for  that  purpose.  It  is  furnished  at  the  very  low 
price  of  fifty  cents  a copy.  No  work  can  be  put  into  the  hands  of 
ordinary  readers  better  calculated  to  do  good,  upon  the  great  subject 
for  the  consideration  of  which  this  Convention  is  organized. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  J ewell,  it  was  Voted,  That  the  next  meeting  be 
held  in  Cincinnati,  on  Wednesday  of  the  last  week  in  May. 

Mr.  Shannon  moved  that  a Committee  of  ten  be  appointed  to  make 
arrangements  for  the  next  meeting. 

Dr.  Jewell  moved  to  amend  by  the  addition  of  the  words,  “ and 
that  Dr.  Mead,  of  Cincinnati,  be  chairman.” 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


99 


■ The  amendment  was  adopted,  and  the  resolution  passed. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Griscom,  G.  II.  Snelling,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  was 
invited  to  read  a paper  in  his  possession,  a translation  (in  part)  of  a 
German  essay  on  the  climate  of  the  United  States  and  Germany,  com- 
paring their  effects  on  the  health  of  man. 

Mr.  Snelling  read  some  extracts  from  the  translation  referred  to, 
and  Dr.  Grisoom  moved  that  Mr.  Snelling  he  requested  to  complete 
the  paper,  and  that  it  he  published  in  the  Transactions  of  the  Conven- 
tion. 

Mr.  Kimball,  of  Boston,  said  he  had  not  a word  to  offer  against 
the  essay ; it  might  he  the  best  in  the  world ; but  he  would  suggest 
whether  it  was  not  an  unexampled  proceeding,  and  rather  a danger- 
ous precedent  to  be  set,  to  print  a paper  which  was  not  yet  completed, 
without  a reference  to  the  Business  Committee. 

Dr.  Guthrie  moved  that  the  subject  be  referred  to  a Committee,  of 
which  Mr.  Snelling  should  be  chairman,  to  report  at  the  next  session. 

Dr.  Griscom.  This  is  not  a subject  to  be  discussed.  It  is,  like 
Dr.  Harris’s  paper,  read  yesterday,  simply  a voluntary  offer  of  a paper 
of  an  interesting  scientific  character.  I think  it  should  go  to  the 
people  of  the  United  States. 

Dr.  Guthrie  thought  it  would  never  do  for  the  Convention  to  fore- 
stall its  action  by  accepting  an  unwritten  and  unpublished  paper,  and 
authorizing  its  publication  in  their  Transactions.  He  thought  the 
remarks  of  Mr.  Kimball  eminently  proper. 

Mr.  Snelling  said  that  nothing  was  further  from  his  intention 
than  that  the  paper  should  be  printed.  He  merely  read  it  as  a matter 
of  interest  to  the  Convention.  He  fully  agreed  with  the  suggestion 
of  Mr.  Kimball,  as  to  the  inexpediency  of  having  it  printed. 

Dr.  Griscom  moved  that  the  paper  of  Mr.  Snelling  be  referred  to 
a Committee,  of  which  Mr.  Snelling  should  be  a member,  Dr.  Curtis 
another,  and  the  President  nominate  a third. 

The  motion  was  agreed  to,  and  the  President  nominated  Hon. 
Josiah  Quincy,  of  Boston,  and  the  nomination  was  accepted. 

The  President  then  announced  the  following  Committees  : — 

Committee  on  Tenement- Houses.  S.  B.  Halliday,  New  York ; Dr. 
Josiah  Curtis,  Boston;  Dr.  W.  B.  Bibbins,  New  York;  Dr.  H.  G. 
Clark,  Boston. 

Committee  on  the  Hours  of  Labor.  George  H.  Snelling,  Boston  ; 
S.  B.  Halliday,  New  York ; J.  C.  Knight,  Providence. 

Committee  of  Arrangements  for  the  ensuing  year.  Dr.  Edward 
Mead,  Cincinnati;  Mayor  Bishop,  Cincinnati;  Nicholas  Longwortli, 


100 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


Cincinnati;  Dr.  M.  B.  Wright,  Cincinnati;  B.  B.  Bowler,  Cincinnati; 
J.  M.  Wightman,  Boston;  Wm.  Taylor,  Philadelphia ; Dr.  Judson 
Gilman,  Baltimore;  R.  H.  Shannon,  New  York;  P.  M.  Wetmore, 
New  York. 

Additional  Members  of  Committee  on  External  Hygiene.  Dr.  R. 
D.  Arnold,  Savannah ; Dr.  H.  G-.  Clark,  Boston. 

The  President  stated  that  he  had  just  received  a document  from 
Dr.  Sterling,  of  New  York,  which  purported  to  be  an  amended  copy 
of  the  printed  Report  on  Wet  Docks,  which  had  been  submitted  to  the 
Convention,  and  which  had  been  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Exter- 
nal Hygiene.  If  no  objection  was  offered,  the  amendment  document 
would  take  the  same  course  with  the  original  report. 

No  objection  was  made,  and  the  paper  was  thus  disposed  of. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Shannon,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted: — 

Resolved , That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be,  and  hereby  are, 
tendered  to  the  several  individuals,  societies,  and  institutions  of  the 
city  of  Boston  for  their  kind  hospitalities  to  the  members  of  this  Con- 
vention, individually  and  collectively,  during  its  present  session. 

Dr.  Griscom,  from  the  Business  Committee,  reported  that  the 
Committee  appointed  last  year  on  the  subject  of  the  Nature  and  Causes 
of  Miasmata  should  be  discharged,  and  a new  Committee  raised,  of 
which  Dr.  Thompson,  of  Ohio,  should  be  Chairman,  and  he  suggested 
the  continuance  of  the  other  members  of  the  Committee. 

The  report  was  accepted,  and  the  recommendation  adopted. 

Dr.  Bell,  in  order  to  carry  out  the  second  resolution  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  External  Hygiene,  offered  the  following  resolution  : — 

Resolved , That  the  Committee  on  External  Hygiene  have  power, 
and  be  directed,  to  select  a suitable  person  from  each  State  not  repre- 
sented in  this  Convention  to  aid  in  carrying  out  the  objects  of  the 
second  resolution  of  their  report. 

The  resolution  was  adopted. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Wightman,  of  Boston,  Dr.  H.  Gr.  Clark  was  added 
to  the  Committee  on  Tenement-Houses. 

Mr.  Wightman  then  moved  that  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  be 
tendered  to  the  corporation  and  gentlemen  of  the  cities  of  Brooklyn 
and  Providence  for  the  invitation  to  the  Convention  to  hold  its  next 
session  in  their  respective  cities,  with  the  expression  of  the  hope  here- 
after to  accept  the  invitations  so  kindly  and  generously  tendered. 

The  motion  was  carried. 

Dr.  Thompson,  of  Ohio,  in  behalf  of  his  State  and  city,  thanked 
the  Convention  for  the  honor  conferred  upon  them  by  selecting  Cin- 
cinnati as  the  place  for  the  next  meeting  of  the  Association ; after 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


101 


which  the  President,  Dr.  Bigelow,  addressed  the  Convention  a 
follows  : — 

Gentlemen  oe  the  Convention  : For  the  kind  expression  of 
your  good-will  towards  the  Chair  for  the  imperfect  performance  of  the 
duties  of  the  office,  you  will  accept  my  heartfelt  acknowledgments, 
with  the  understanding  that  your  thanks  are  to  be  divided  with  my 
able  and  intelligent  colleagues  in  office,  who  have  so  efficiently  and  so 
beneficially  aided  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention  by  their  official 
services. 

Gentlemen,  it  would  now  remain  for  me,  wishing  you  a prosperous 
and  happy  return  to  your  respective  homes,  to  express  to  you  a 
reluctant  and  heartfelt  adieu,  were  it  not  that,  in  common  with  the 
other  members  of  this  Convention  belonging  to  the  city  of  Boston,  we 
anticipate  another,  and  we  trust  more  agreeable  reunion  in  the  fes- 
tivities of  the  afternoon.  (Applause.) 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Griscom,  the  Convention  then  adjourned  sine  die , 


. 


- 

SPEECHES 


AT  THE 


COLLATION  AT  DEER  ISLAND. 


COLLATION  AT  DEER  ISLAND. 


On  Friday,  June  15,  the  Convention,  by  invitation  of  the  Board 
of  Directors  for  Public  Institutions  of  the  City  of  Boston,  visited  the 
House  of  Industry  at  Deer  Island,  where  are  also  located  the  House 
of  Reformation,  and  the  quarantine  establishment,  of  Boston.  Leav- 
ing the  city  by  steamer,  the  Convention,  accompanied  by  the  City 
Council  of  Boston,  proceeded  to  the  Island,  first  stopping  at  Rainsford 
Island  for  a brief  inspection  of  the  Hospital  there  supported  by  the 
State  of  Massachusetts.  At  Deer  Island  the  party  were  conducted 
over  the  institution,  after  a satisfactory  examination  of  which  they 
sat  down  to  a collation. 

After  the  collation,  Mr.  Joseph  Smith,  President  of  the  Board  of 
Directors,  rose  and  said  : — 

Gentlemen  of  the  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention : 

In  the  name  and  in  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  to  whom  the 
City  Council  of  Boston  have  intrusted  the  oversight  and  management 
of  this  and  some  other  institutions  of  the  city,  I bid  you  welcome. 
The  city  of  Boston,  gentlemen,  has  always  felt  a conscious  pride  in  the 
character  of  its  public  institutions,  and  has  always  provided  liberally 
for  their  support, — not  only,  gentlemen,  for  those  of  a penal,  but  for 
those  of  an  educational  and  of  a charitable  character.  This,  gentle- 
men, is  not  entirely  and  strictly  a penal  institution.  Indeed,  it  may 
be  said  to  comprise  two,  if  not  three,  distinct  institutions.  The  House 
of  Industry,  as  originally  established,  was  entirely  a charitable  insti- 
tution ; but  of  late  years,  since  its  removal  to  this  island,  persons  have 
been  sent  here  for  trivial  offences,  such  as  drunkenness,  night-walking, 
and  similar  offences.  These,  however,  have  been  kept  wholly  distinct 
from  the  virtuous  poor.  You  will  see,  therefore,  that  the  House  of 
Industry,  of  itself,  comprises  two  distinct  classes  of  inmates — the 
virtuous  poor,  who  have  a claim  upon  the  city  of  Boston  for  their 
support,  and  those  persons  to  whom  I have  alluded  who  have  been 
sent  here  for  crime.  In  addition  to  these,  gentlemen,  we  have  in  this 
establishment  a House  of  Reformation  for  juvenile  offenders,  of  both 
sexes.  The  boys  of  this  institution  were  those  whom  you  saw  upon 
your  landing,  in  dark  clothing.  The  boys  and  girls  of  this  House  of 
Reformation  are  furnished  with  most  excellent  schooling ; and  the 
boys,  such  of  them  as  are  able  to  work,  are  employed  in  working  upon 
14 


106 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


the  farm,  the  manufacture  of  shoes,  and  like  employments.  This  in- 
stitution is  entirely  distinct  from  the  House  of  Industry,  being  under 
a different  head.  Then,  again,  gentlemen,  we  have  what  has  been 
called  the  “ Boylston  School. ” These  were  the  boys  whom  you  saw 
on  the  wharf,  as  you  landed,  dressed  in  light  clothes.  These  may  be 
considered,  perhaps,  a part  of  the  House  of  Industry,  being  under  the 
same  direction,  and  under  the  same  head.  Perhaps  some  of  you  may 
have  formed  an  opinion  of  the  body  of  that  institution,  having  seen 
its  head , — Dr.  Moriarty.  (Laughter  and  applause.) 

We  welcome  you,  gentlemen  of  the  Convention,  as  public  benefac- 
tors,— as  gentlemen  engaged  in  a great  public  work,  that  of  preserving 
and  protecting  the  public  health,  than  which  nothing  can  be  of  greater 
importance.  This,  gentlemen,  undoubtedly  opens  for  you  a wide  field. 
Such  subjects  as  imperfect  drainage,  imperfect  ventilation,  and  incon- 
venient and  unhealthy  lodging-houses,  are  for  your  consideration ; and 
I doubt  not,  gentlemen,  that  the  time  will  come  when  the  subject  of 
paving  and  widening  the  streets  will  be  considered  by  conventions 
such  as  yours,  as  affecting  the  public  health.  Nor,  gentlemen,  is  the 
subject  of  quarantine  regulations  of  less  importance  than  the  others  to 
which  I have  alluded.  In  former  years,  the  quarantine  regulations 
have  been  of  a very  stringent  and  onerous  character,  such  as  imposed 
upon  commerce  very  severe  restrictions, — may  I not  be  allowed  to  say, 
gentlemen,  unnecessary  restrictions  ? I think  it  has  been  so,  within 
my  recollection.  I can  remember  to  have  seen,  within  gunshot  of 
where  we  are  now  sitting,  forty  or  fifty  vessels  lying  at  quarantine, 
each  with  a little  red  flag  flying,  to  indicate  that  they  were  in  quarantine. 
These  vessels  had  probably  left  some  of  our  southern  ports  during  the 
sickly  season,  and  although,  perhaps,  not  a single  case  of  sickness  had 
occurred  on  the  whole  voyage,  still,  the  law  required  that  they  should 
ride  at  quarantine  here  for  thirty  days.  Now,  men  see  that  these  re- 
strictions were  onerous  upon  commerce.  They  were  not  relaxed,  how- 
ever, in  the  slightest  degree,  until  a more  considerate  policy  was 
adopted,  by  some  other  cities.  When  it  was  found  that  vessels  coming 
from  southern  ports  during  the  sickly  season  would  take  freights  to 
some  of  the  ports  where  the  laws  were  less  stringent  than  ours,  then  it 
was  found  by  the  inhabitants  of  Boston,  and  by  its  municipal  officers, 
that  unless  these  regulations  were  relaxed,  they  would  drive  from  our 
city  the  commerce  which  we  had  so  far  obtained.  It  is  very  evident 
that  it  would  not  be  proper,  that  it  would  not  be  safe,  to  abolish  all 
quarantine  regulations ; hence  the  necessity  for  the  meeting  of  such 
conventions  as  yours,  for  the  purpose  of  devising  a regular  and  uniform 
system  for  the  regulation  of  this  matter. 

If  the  restrictions  to  which  I have  referred  existed  now  which  were 
in  operation  some  thirty  or  forty  years  ago,  and  a more  liberal  policy 
were  pursued  by  some  of  our  more  eastern  cities,  such,  for  instance,  as 
Portland  and  Portsmouth,  much  of  the  commerce  which  now  comes 
to  Boston  would  be  diverted  from  this  city,  and  go  to  those  other  cities 
which  entertained  a more  liberal  policy  in  regard  to  quarantine  regula- 
tions, and  would  be  brought  to  Boston  on  the  railroads  which  centre 
there.  You  see,  therefore,  that  these  restrictions  have  been  exceed- 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


107 


ingly  onerous  upon  commerce  j and  wherever  you  restrict  commerce, 
there  you  restrict  its  handmaids,  civilization  and  the  standard  of  the 
Cross, — for  they  generally  go  together,  or,  rather,  the  one  follows  the 
other.  (Applause.) 

It  would  be  presumptuous  in  me,  gentlemen,  to  undertake  to  discuss 
this  question  to  which  I have  alluded,  in  this  presence.  It  is  not  my 
province, — it  is  not  my  purpose.  Therefore,  gentlemen,  I will  again  bid 
you  welcome  to  the  city  of  Boston,  trusting  that  your  visit  may  be  as 
pleasant  and  agreeable  to  yourselves  as  it  has  been  acceptable  to  us. 
(Applause.) 

I propose,  in  conclusion,  to  offer  the  following  sentiment : — 

The  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention  of  1860 — May 
.the  benefits  of  its  deliberations  and  labors  be  commensurate  with  the 
character,  science,  and  skill  of  its  members  and  prepare  the  way  for 
measures  of  sanitary  reform  which  shall  be  for  the  £<  healing  of  the 
nations,”  to  the  latest  posterity.  (Applause.) 

Gentlemen,  it  was  expected  that  Dr.  Bigelow,  the  President  of 
the  Convention,  would  respond  to  this  sentiment ; but,  in  his  absence, 
I have  the  honor  and  pleasure  to  introduce  to  you  Mayor  Arnold,  of 
the  city  of  Savannah.  (Applause.) 

A V oice.  There  is  no  disunion  in  that ! (Laughter,  and  renewed 
applause.) 

Mr.  Smith.  Mayor  Arnold,  first  Vice-President  of  the  Convention, 
will  now  address  you. 

Mayor  Arnold,  spoke  as  follows  : — 

Mr.  Chairman , Gentlemen  of  the  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Conven- 
tion, and  Fellow-  Citizens  of  Boston  : 

The  first  idea  which  came  from  the  recesses  of  my  memory  when 
the  honored  gentleman  on  my  left  called  upon  me,  in  the  absence  of 
my  venerated,  venerable,  and  respected  friend,  Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow, 
whom  I have  been  accustomed  for  long  years  to  look  up  to  as  one  of 
the  lights  of  medical  science,  (applause,) — my  first  thought  was  of  the 
remark  once  made  by  Decatur  when  he  was  complimented  for  his 
gallantry.  He  said,  “ There  are  many  gallant  spirits  in  the  navy;  all 
that  is  wanted  is  opportunity (Applause.)  Now,  I am,  at  this 
moment,  the  happy  child  of  Opportunity  ! (Renewed  applause.)  The 
absence  of  my  respected  friend,  Dr.  Bigelow,  has  most  unexpectedly 
devolved  upon  me,  as  the  next  presiding  officer  of  the  Convention,  the 
duty  of  addressing  this  large,  and  may  I not  say,  in  words  of  truth 
and  sincerity,  intelligent,  and  intellectual  audience.  If  I did  not  feel 
thankful,  at  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  for  this  opportunity,  I would  not 
give  utterance  to  the  sentiment  with  my  lips  It  is  one  of  the  great 
illustrations  of  what  the  pervading  spirit  of  the  age  accomplishes, 
wanting  a great  central  head  of  government,  and  thank  God  we  do 
want  it ! for  the  central  head  of  a great  government  is  the  electrical 
battery  of  Despotism,  which  prostrates  everything  before  it.  (Ap- 
plause.) But  we  have  an  independent,  self-existing  vitality.  We 
show,  in  spite  of  the  mixture  of  races  that  is  spread  over  our  Union, 
that  we  have  always  looked  up  to  our  old  English  institutions,  and 


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National  Quarantine  Convention. 


that  the  basis  of  that  has  been  Representative  Government,  (applause,) 
never  the  “ fierce  democracie  of  Athens.”  Gentlemen,  in  my  old 
college  days,  (and  God  knows  they  were  long  ago,)  one  of  the  rules  of 
logic  was,  Never  compare  dissimilar  things.  Men  running  after  start- 
ling and  mystical  analogies  very  often  run  away  from  reason  and  com- 
mon sense,  and  may  be  told,  as  Agrippa  told  Paul,  “ Too  much  learn- 
ing hath  made  thee  mad.”  (Laughter.)  What  comparison  is  there 
between  a small  democracy  which  could  meet  where  a Demosthenes 
could  address  them,  and  our  wide-spread  Union  ? I want  you  to  look 
back  to  our  history ; I want  you  to  see  our  origin.  I say  our  great 
principle  is  that  of  local  governments,  from  our  townships  which 
yet  illustrate  here  in  New  England,  to  our  city  and  State  governments, 
until  we  have  given  to  the  world  a great  system;  we  have  exemplified, 
so  far,  the  possibility  of  governing  a great  nation  upon  the  represen- 
tative principle.  (Applause.)  We  have  a number  of  State  sovereign- 
ties, (don’t  be  afraid,  gentlemen ; I am  not  going  to  shed  one  drop  of 
the  bitter  waters  of  politics  here.)  (Loud  applause.)  I am  only 
speaking  of  the  great  principle  of  association,  acting  by  delegated 
power,  and  on  representative  capacity.  Gentlemen,  we  have  a saying  at 
the  South,  where  we  do  not  use  oars,  but  paddles,  and  a fellow  goes  out 
paddling  himself  along  in  a dug-out,  “ Let  every  fellow  paddle  his  own 
canoe.”  (Laughter.)  Now,  I say,  gentlemen,  whether  you  steam  at 
the  North,  paddle  at  the  South,  or  cross  the  prairies  at  the  West,  “ let 
every  man  hoe  his  own  row,  shinning’  his  own  side  ! ” (Laughter.) 
Now,  the  basis  of  the  prosperity  of  this  Republican  Union,  which  I 
hope  I may  be  allowed  to  say,'  devoutly,  sincerely,  before  Almighty 
God,  I think,  so  far,  has  been  the  most  successful  instance  of  self- 
government  which  he  has  ever  permitted  to  be  shown  on  his  earth ; 
(applause,  and  cries  of  “ Good,”  “ good!”) — I say  its  basis  is  the  great 
principle  of  each  State  taking  care  of  itself,  — the  great  principle  of 
association.  Then  we  come  up  as  coequals  from  different  States.  We 
have  set  the  example,  in  the  medical  association,  by  the  inauguration, 
fourteen  years  ago,  of  that  Association.  But,  gentlemen,  there  was 
something  behind  that.  Agriculture,  commerce,  and  manufactures 
are  the  three  grand  bases  on  which  are  built  the  prosperity  of  a coun- 
try. I represent  agriculture  and  commerce.  Gentlemen,  at  the  South, 
we  are  not  a manufacturing  people  ; we  don’t  want  to  be.  Probably 
there  are  some  of  you  so  old-fashioned  as  to  have  heard  of  a certain 
man  named  Adam  Smith,  who  wrote  once  on  Political  Economy,  — 
and  among  other  new-fangled  notions  that  he  illustrated  was  this  : that  it 
was  much  cheaper  to  import  wine  from  Oporto,  in  Portugal,  than  to 
raise  it  in  hot-houses  in  London.  Now,  I am  here  the  only  delegate 
from  Georgia.  Quarantine  is  a matter  of  much  importance,  because  we 
have  a great  port  of  entry,  which  is  the  commercial  metropolis  of 
Georgia,  and  that  is  Savannah,  whose  representative  I have  the  honor 
to  be  to-day.  (Applause.) 

From  the  moment  I read  the  proceedings  of  the  first  Quarantine 
Convention,  which  my  friend  on  my  right,  Dr.  Jewell,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, (applause,)  has  the  honor  of  having  originated,  I felt  an  inter- 
est in  the  subject;  and  when  the  time  for  the  second  meeting  ap- 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


109 


proached,  I waited  upon  tlie  then  mayor  of  our  city,  and  I was 
appointed  a delegate  to  Baltimore.  But  that  is  merely  a personal 
matter.  I say  that,  as  a citizen,  a man  representing  the  South,  a man 
representing  commerce  and  agriculture,  I felt  interested  in  the  move- 
ment, which,  for  the  first  time,  I saw  had  been  taken  in  the  right 
direction  to  free  Commerce  from  those  shackles  which  had  well-nigh 
crippled  her,  and  would  have  done  so,  hut  that  the  energies  of  Com- 
merce are  boundless.  (Applause.)  Whether  this  should  prove  our 
last  session,  whether  we  shall  be  functus  officio  or  not,  the  results  of 
the  deliberations  of  last  year  have  been  of  incalculable  benefit.  In  my 
younger  days,  I had  for  several  years  the  duty  of  Health  Officer  of 
the  city  of  Savannah  imposed  upon  me,  and  I used  to  say,  particularly 
after  a certain  circumstance  that  occurred,  when  an  excellent  old  aunt 
of  mine  was  quarantined  at  New  York  because  she  had  the  gouty 
(merriment,)  and  I said,  at  the  time,  the  man’s  diploma,  if  he  call 
himself  a doctor,  ought  to  be  torn  into  bits,  and  flung  in  his  face ; I 
used  to  say,  I repeat,  that  I believed  the  quarantine  system,  appealing 
as  it  did  to  the  worst  prejudices  and  fears  of  the  people,  had  been 
productive  of  the  greatest  evils  to  commerce.  For  years  I have  had 
the  honor  of  acting,  at  different  times,  in  the  municipal  council  of 
Savannah,  and  my  voice,  in  public  and  private,  has  always  been 
against  useless  quarantine  regulations,  and  I felt,  when  I landed  upon 
your  shores,  although  but  an  estray,  a mere  waif  from  the  Gulf 
Stream,  that  I was  following  a great  * principle  with  you.  When  I 
heard  the  sentiments  uttered  to-day  in  the  Convention,  and  when  I 
read  the  report  of  last  year’s  meeting,  I thanked  God  that  at  last  com- 
mon sense  had  got  ahead,  and  had  gagged  and  bound  abstract  theory. 
(Applause.)  Now,  the  Convention,  in  addition  to  quarantine  meas- 
ures, have  adopted  sanitary  measures.  Shall  I “ gild  refined  gold  ? ” 
Does  not  every  man  feel  in  his  microcosm  — that  part  which,  in  civil- 
ized countries,  he  carries  inside  of  his  clothes  — does  not  every  man 
feel  the  want  of  it  ? Then  I say  we  are  not  a State  Association,  nor 
a National  Association,  but  a world-wide  Association  ; and  if  I were 
to  choose  a design  and  motto  for  this  Convention,  should  it  be  made 
perpetual,  I should  say,  let  it  be  the  figure  of  a man  extending  a 
wand  of  help  to  a suffering  mortal,  with  the  motto,  uHomo  sum , nihil 
humanum  a rue  alierum  puto” 

Dr.  Arnold  took  his  seat  amid  loud  plaudits,  which  were  followed  by 
three  cheers  for  Georgia.  The  band  then  played,  “ Oh,  carry  me  back 
to  Old  Virginia,”  which  was  received  with  enthusiastic  cheers. 

The  riext  regular  toast  was  then  read,  as  follows 

The  first  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention , which  as- 
sembled in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  in  1857 — It  presented  to  the 
friends  of  sanitary  reform  a rare  Jewel , (applause,)  of  which  they  will 
ever  feel  proud. 

Three  hearty  cheers  were  given  for  Dr.  Jewell,  who  addressed  the 
assembly  as  follows  : — 

Mr.  President : Had  I known  that  I was  to  be  brought  down  here 
to  be  quarantined  for  a speech,  (laughter,)  I think  I should  have 


110 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


weighed  anchor,  set  sail,  and  gone  into  the  port  of  Philadelphia.  (Re- 
newed merriment.)  And,  sir,  since  I was  notified  that  I should  be  called 
upon  to  address  this  assembly,  I have  had  an  “ irrepressible  conflict” 
within  me,  (laughter,)  whether  to  speak  myself,  or  call  in  a helper. 
(Uproarious  laughter.)  But,  sir,  I have  been  cautioned  not  to  introduce 
politics  on  this  occasion,  and  as  we  are  all  Lincoln  men  here,  (applause, 
and  three  cheers  for  Mayor  Lincoln,)  there  is  no  occasion  for  my  do- 
ing so. 

Mr.  President,  I have  an  idea  that  there  is  a great  deal  of  Yankee- 
ism  about  the  whole  of  this  affair,  sir.  You  have  invited  us  here 
from  every  part  of  the  country,  even  from  every  State,  I believe,  for 
the  purpose  of  effecting  a reform  in  quarantine  regulations,  and  you 
have  brought  us  down  to  this  island  to  afford  us  an  insight  into  your 
system.  Well,  sir,  if  this  is  a specimen  of  your  reform  in  quarantine,  I 
guess  you  will  have  no  complaint  when  ships  and  passengers  are  de- 
tained here.  (Laughter.)  We  can  boast  of  a glorious  reception,  sir, 
in  your  city  of  revolutionary  memory, — a welcome,  sir,  which  we  never 
shall  forget.  But  here,  sir,  we  are  enjoying  by  far  a More  ’arty  recep- 
tion. (Great  merriment,  which  was  succeeded  by  three  cheers  for  Dr. 
Moriarty.) 

But,  Mr.  President,  I come  to  more  serious  matters.  You  in  Boston 
are  somewhat  famous  for  quarantines ; and,  sir,  when  I penned  a brief 
history  of  quarantines  in  this  country,  I think  I did  great  injustice  to 
your  venerable  sires  in  not  mentioning  their  noble  deeds.  They  were 
the  first  quarantine  reformers;  and  as  they  were  the  leaders  in  a revo- 
lutionary rebellion,  I think,  in  1768,  so  were  they,  in  1773,  the  leaders 
in  a revolutionary  quarantine.  On  the  29th  of  November,  1773,  there 
were  to  be  seen  posted  on  your  street-corners,  in  Boston,  placards, 
cautioning  people  againsfthe  introduction  of  what  was  called  in  those 
placards,  “the  worst  of  plagues;”  and  it  was  on  that  very  day  that 
your  sires  met  in  the  Old  South  meeting-house  and  there  resolved, 
unanimously,  that  no  tea  should  be  landed  within  the  precincts  of 
Boston  ; and  the  Dartmouth,  the  Eleanor,  and  the  Beaver,  were  the 
three  first  ships  ever  quarantined  in  Boston  harbor.  (Applause.)  And 
why  were  they  quarantined  ? Because  they  were  about  to  introduce 
and  land  the  poisonous  leaves  of  British  oppression,  which,  if  they  had 
been  allowed,  would  have  forever  destroyed  the  liberty  which  we  now 
enjoy.  (Applause.) 

But,  sir,  that  was  only  the  forerunner  of  more  glorious  events,  for  at 
Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill  you  started  the  renewal  of  a continental 
quarantine,  the  consummation  of  which  gave  us  liberty  and  indepen- 
dence forever.  (Loud  applause.)  Thanks,  sir,  to  the  Boston  Tea 
Party,  that  met  on  Griffin’s  wharf ! (Applause.) 

But,  sir,  I rose  more  particularly  in  response  to  the  very  compli- 
mentary sentiment  in  which  you  have  so  beautifully  alluded  to  my 
feeble  efforts  to  relieve  our  commerce  from  the  restrictive  regulations 
with  which  it  has  been  burdened  and  cursed  for  so  many  long  and 
tedious  years.  To-day,  I feel  proud  that  I ever  launched  forth  in  a 
cause  so  glorious  and  yet  so  humane.  It  has  been  my  mission  for 
years  to  endeavor  to  establish  a reform  in  quarantine,  and  as  to  the 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


Ill 


success  of  my  efforts,  the  best  answer  may  be  had  in  the  intelligent 
assembly  which  is  now  meeting  in  your  city  in  convention.  Sir,  it  was 
said  to  me  to-day  by  a gentleman  who  is  here  present,  “ I congratulate 
you,  Doctor,  that  you  have  been  delivered  to-day.”  (Laughter.)  Well, 
sir,  I have  been  much  interested  in  the  birth  of  this  child ; I have 
nourished  it  faithfully,  and  in  embryo  I cared  for  it,  lest  it  should 
come  forth  a puny  one,  and  perish  by  an  untimely  death.  But  I 
rejoice  that  it  can  already  stand  alone  ; that  it  can  take  care  of  itself; 
in  other  words,  it  has  been  adopted  by  the  nation,  is  a national  affair, 
and  that  its  strong  arms,  like  luxuriant  branches,  will  extend  through- 
out the  entire  country,  and  the  fruit  thereof  will  be  for  the  ameliora- 
tion of  the  human  race,  and  of  those  especially  who  u go  down  to  the 
sea  in  ships.”  (Applause.) 

Mayor  Lincoln.  Mr.  President : You  well  know  that  this  occa- 
sion does  not  belong  to  me.  Yesterday,  I welcomed  our  friends  from 
different  parts  of  the  country  as  members  of  this  Convention  ; to-mor- 
row I shall  have  occasion,  in  behalf  of  the  City  Government,  to  welcome 
them  again.  I am  here,  sir,  by  your  invitation,  as  most  of  the  gentle- 
men are  here,  to  participate  in  this  delightful  occasion.  I wish  the 
gentlemen  present,  who  are  not  citizens  of  Boston,  to  understand  ex- 
actly our  position  here.  To  be  sure,  as  you  said,  sir,  w.e  have  some 
pride  in  these  institutions,  but  yet,  it  is  a pride  which  cannot,  perhaps, 
always  be  a just  one.  We  are  sorry,  as  doubtless  you  are,  that  in  every 
one  of  your  cities  there  is  a necessity  for  such  institutions  ; and  as  such 
necessity  exists,  we  are  bound  to  make  them  as  useful  as  we  can.  Every 
one  recollects  the  story  of  the  little  boy,  who,  when  asked  why  a cer- 
tain tree  which  was  pointed  out  to  him  grew  gnarled  and  crooked,  said, 
u Because  somebody  trod  on  it  when  it  was  a little  fellow.”  So  it  is, 
in  a great  measure,  with  the  class  of  people  whom  we  have  here ; they 
have  been  unfortunate  in  their  youth ; somebody  has  trodden  upon 
them  and  given  them  a wrong  direction,  when  they  were  young. 
(Applause.)  This,  sir,  is  the  condition  of  a great  many  of  the  inmates 
of  the  institutions  on  this  island,  and  we  are  doing  our  part  to 
straighten  them  up  and  make  them  become  good  men  and  good  women, 
and  an  honor  to  the  community  in  which  they  live.  (Applause.) 

There  is  another  thing  which  ought  to  be  stated  here,  and  that  is,, 
that  although  this  institution  is  carried  on,  in  part,  by  the  City  Gov- 
ernment, its  expenses  are  paid,  and  the  appropriations  for  it  are  first 
made,  by  my  friend,  the  President  of  the  Common  Council,  and  his 
associates.  From  this  source  we  obtain  the  money.  Yet,  at  the  same 
time,  the  institutions  are  managed  by  an  organization  a little  indepen- 
dent of  the  City  Government.  We  have  representatives  of  the  City  Gov- 
ernment in  the  Board  of  Directors ; but  there  are,  also,  in  that  Board, 
some  gentlemen  outside  of  the  City  Government;  and  let  me  inform 
you,  gentlemen,  that  the  members  at  large  are  usually  selected  from 
gentlemen  who  have  formerly  been  connected  with  the  City  Govern- 
ment, and  who  have  proved  themselves  good  public  officers, — like  your- 
self, sir,  the  Messrs.  Kimball,  Mr.  Brewster,  and  others.  When  they 
. have  served  their  term  in  the  City  Government,  they  are  often  chosen 
as  part  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  our  Public  Institutions ; and  let. 


112 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


me  tell  you,  gentlemen,  that  if  there  is  any  position  which  I am  am- 
bitious to  obtain,  it  is  that  of  being  deemed  worthy,  when  I shall  have 
finished  my  duties  in  the  City  Government,  of  being  a director  of  these 
institutions.  (Cheers.) 

Such,  gentlemen,  is  the  character  and  reputation  of  our  directors ; 
and  if  you  will  examine  these  institutions,  as  you  will,  no  doubt,  have 
an  opportunity  to  do  before  you  leave  the  island,  I think  you  will  be 
well  satisfied  that  they  are  in  good  hands. 

But,  sir,  I speak  here,  at  this  time,  only  by  your  courtesy,  and  I will 
say  but  a single  word  further.  We  have  visited  to-day  another  insti- 
tution, which  is  under  the  charge  and  direction  of  the  good  old  State 
of  Massachusetts,  (applause,)  and  I rise  to  propose  a sentiment  to  call 
out  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  who  is  here. 

Our  beloved  Commonwealth — First  and  foremost  in  every  effort  for 
the  elevation  of  man  and  the  amelioration  of  the  condition  of  the 
human  race.  (Applause,  and  three  cheers  for  the  Commonwealth.) 

Hon.  Mr.  Goodwin,  of  Lowell,  Speaker  of  the  Massachusetts 
House  of  Representatives,  responded  : — 

You,  Mr.  Chairman,  and  His  Honor  the  Mayor,  were  somewhat  out 
of  place  in  your  selection  of  the  person  who  should  respond  to  that 
sentiment,  for,  of  all  the  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
the  only  one  who  is  expected  never  to  make  a speech  is  the  Speaker. 
(Laughter.)  Still,  sir,  I am  happy  to  join  with  you  in  this  occasion  of 
welcome  to  so  many  gentlemen  from  so  many  scattered  points  of  our 
common,  — thank  God,  of  our  indivisible  country.  (Applause.)  But, 
sir,  I regret  that  this  occasion  does  not  belong  to  the  Commonwealth, 
— that  she  is  not  the  host,  and  she  has  no  right,  here,  to  be  prominent. 
And  in  placing  the  Capital  before  the  Commonwealth, — the  Capital, 
which,  though  not  so  in  position,  is  yet  really  the  heart  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, — somewhat  upon  one  side  geographically,  but,  sir,  as  we 
rejoice  to  know,  in  all  good  works  on  the  right  side  — (Applause,) 
still,  sir,  in  placing  the  Capital  before  the  Commonwealth,  I have  good 
authority  for  it.  It  chanced  to  me,  several  years  ago,  to  sail  out  of 
this  harbor,  before  the  mast,  upon  the  “ long  voyage  ,”  and  at  the 
further  extremity  of  that  voyage,  in  China,  to  fall  in  with  a grave  and 
venerable  mandarin,  in  a tea-store,  who  appeared  to  be  somewhat 
happy  to  see  me,  and  desirous  to  know  -where  I came  from.  “ From 
Massachusetts,”  said  I.  “ Massachusetts  ?”  said  he;  “ I don’t  know 
where  it  is,  — is  it  anywhere  near  Boston  ?”  (Great  laughter.)  “ Oh, 
yes ; it  is  close  by.”  (Renewed  laughter.)  “ Then,”  said  he,  for  the 
first  time,  “lam  glad  to  see  you.”  That  was  not  quite  so  bad  as  the 
adventure  of  a friend  of  mine,  who  strolled  away  from  home,  and, 
being  out  of  business,  shipped  on  board  an  English  East  Indiaman. 
On  the  coast  of  Sia*m,he  went  on  shore,  and  fell  in  with  one  of  the  chiefs, 
who,  in  the  course  of  conversation,  said,  “ Where  is  your  ship  from  ? ” 
From  London,”  said  the  Yankee.  “ From  London  ?”  said  the  chief, 
■u  I never  heard  of  that,  — is  it  anywhere  near  Salem  ?”  (Great  mer- 
riment.) So  you  see,  sir,  that  if,  on  fit  occasions,  we  place  the  Capital 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


113 


before  the  Commonwealth,  we  have  excellent  authority  for  so  doing, 
and  no  possible  fault  can  be  found.  But,  sir,  as  I was  remarking  before, 
I am  happy  to  have  been  one  of  this  company,  to  have  joined  this 
group,  gathered  from  all  parts  of  the  Union,  and  meeting  here  in  so 
great  and  so  noble  a cause.  What  is  worthier  than  the  advancement 
of  sanitary  science, — than  anything  which  tends  to  develop  the  powers 
of  the  body,  to  promote  its  health,  and  to  disseminate  through  the 
community  a thorough  knowledge  of  the  great  laws  which  govern  it  ? 

It  was  said,  thousands  of  years  ago,  of  this  frame  of  ours,  it  is 
“fearfully  and  wonderfully  made  \ ” But  it  appears  to  me  as  if  the 
truth  had  made  slow  progress,  and  as  if  governments  were  unwilling 
to  recognize  the  fact  that  they  have  anything  to  do  with  the  physical 
well-being  of  those  under  their  charge.  But,  sir,  I cannot  help 
thinking  that  they  who,  in  pursuit  of  sanitary  knowledge,  have  come 
here  to-day,  have  been  especially  fortunate.  I landed  upon  yonder 
pier  not  more  than  two  hours  ago.  And,  by  the  way,  sir,  it  is  my  mis- 
fortune to  look  like  Cassius,  who  wore,  we  are  told,  a “ lean  and  hun- 
gry” look.  (Laughter.)  And  I landed  here  so  feeling;  but,  sir,  I 
have  breathed  this  atmosphere  but  a short  time,  and  that  feeling  is  so 
far  removed  from  me  that  I can  recall  it  only  by  reasoning  on  the 
doctrine  of  contraries. 

It  is  one  of  the  privileges  of  the  Speaker,  sir,  as  you  have  alluded 
to  the  parliamentary  chair,  and  to  the  accident  of  my  filling  it,  it  is 
one  of  the  Speaker’s  privileges  to  name  his  substitute.  And  as  I see 
far  off,  smoking  quietly  by  a cool  window,  a gentleman  known  as  one 
of  the  most  earnest  among  the  Directors  of  the  Public  Institutions  of 
Boston,  and  one  of  the  most  industrious  of  the  legislators  of  Massa- 
chusetts, I hope  that,  at  the  proper  time,  he  will  put  in  all  I have  for- 
gotten to  say.  Of  course,  I allude  to  Moses  Kimball.  And  so,  sir, 
merely  asserting  again,  for  fear  it  should  not  be  understood,  my  great 
regard  for  sanitary  science*  and  my  entire  satisfaction  with  the  investi- 
gation we  have  made  (laughter)  into  the  best  remedies  for  those  griev- 
ous ills  which  flesh  is  heir  to,  I will  close  with  this  sentiment : — 

The  Public  Charities  of  Boston — May  they  always  be  as  gener- 
ously and  as  timely  bestowed  as  they  this  afternoon  have  been  upon  us. 
(Three  cheers  were  given  for  Speaker  Goodwin.) 

The  President  gave  — The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts , — and 
said  : — 

I call  upon  the  Hon.  Moses  Kimball  to  respond  to  this  sentiment, — 
a gentleman  who  has  been  at  the  head  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of 
Public  Institutions  for  the  city  of  Boston. 

Hon.  Moses  Kimball,  of  Boston,  on  rising  to  respond  to  the 
toast,  was  received  with  warm  applause.  He  said  : — 

Mr.  President : I wish  I could  thank  you  for  calling  me  out ; but  I 
cannot,  sir.  And  I cannot  thank  my  friend,  the  Speaker,  for  sug- 
gesting that  I should  be  called.  It  is  a misfortune,  for  a modest  man 
(laughter)  to  be  placed  under  the  lead  of  two  such  arbitrary  rulers, 

15 


114 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


in  the  same  year,  as  yourself  and  the  Speaker  of  the  House.  But,  sir, 
I can  neither  thank  you  nor  the  Honorable  Speaker  any  more  than 
I have  already  had  occasion,  many  times,  to  thank  you,  for  placing  me 
upon  Committees  where  you  were  sure  there  was  a plenty  of  hard  work 
to  be  done,  to  keep  me  quiet.  People  sometimes  imagine  it  is  an 
honor  to  serve  upon  this  Board ; but  the  time  when  they  particularly 
think  it  is  an  honor  is  when  they  come  down  here  and  visit  us,  and 
we  put  on  our  holiday  clothes,  and  get  out  our  best  crockery. 
(Laughter.)  But  I trust  gentlemen  will  consider  that  Boston  is  an 
exceedingly  liberal  city  ; liberal  for  her  public  institutions ; liberal  for 
their  inmates ; and,  although  the  President  is  an  exceedingly  modest 
man,  and  does  not  desire  to  say  it, — however  much  you  may  be  flattered 
with  the  entertainment  here  to-day,  this  is  only  a medium  repast,  and 
not  quite  up  to  the  usual  splendor.  (Laughter.)  Some  of  you  come 
from  a distance,  and,  perhaps,  for  the  first  time,  are  in  New  England. 
I doubt  whether  you  have  ever  partaken  of  one  of  the  luxurious  dishes 
peculiar  to  New  England,  upon  which  our  inmates  here  are  regaled  on 
the  Sabbath.  I refer  to  baked  beans.  We  find  it  is  a cheap  dish,  and 
nutritious  at  that.  Then,  fortunately,  we  are  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
ocean,  and  we  have  hardy  fishermen,  who  draw  from  the  deep  the 
glorious  codfish ; and  that  furnishes  another  luxurious  dish  for  the 
inmates.  We  couldn’t  give  you  these,  for  you  are  outsiders,  and 
hardly  entitled  to  that  kind  of  feeding.  (Laughter.) 

But  a truce,  sir,  to  this  pleasantry.  In  common  with  our  President,  and 
the  entire  Board  of  Directors,  and  also  with  the  city  authorities,  I join 
in  most  cordially  welcoming  you  to  see  what  Boston  does  for  her  poor, 
unfortunate,  and  vicious.  We  have,  upon  this  island,  three — I will 
say,  four — institutions  combined  in  one.  There  is  what  is  called,  in 
most  parts  of  the  country,  the  poor-house,  the  almshouse.  Thanks  to 
the  thrift  and  industry  of  our  people,  the  number  of  its  inmates  is 
exceedingly  limited,  consisting,  principally,  of  the  aged.  In  our  com- 
munity every  man  works,  and  every  man  thinks  it  honorable  to  work ; 
and  more  than  that,  we  all  of  us  believe  in  making'people  work,  whether 
inside  or  outside  of  the  institution;  and  therefore  no  man  needs 
to  call  upon  the  public  for  charity.  Again,  we  have  another  class 
here,  as  my  friend  the  President  says ; and  I notice  with  what 
especial  care  of  the  company  present  he  called  them  parties  sentenced 
for  trivial  offences,  and  enumerated,  among  the  rest,  night-walkers, 
and  so  forth.  (Laughter.)  I think  I need  not  illustrate  further  upon 
that  point,  for,  by  the  manifestations  of  the  company,  a nod  is  evidently 
as  good  as  a wink  to  a blind  horse.  We  have,  then,  Mr.  President, 
as  you  very  properly  observed,  two  reform  departments,  consisting  of 
those  little  boys, — some  of  them  grown  large  and  old  in  sin  and  iniquity, 
who,  as  His  Honor  the  Mayor  has  very  happily  illustrated  by  the 
growth  of  the  tree,  have  been  crooked,  and  transplanted,  and  started 
wrong;  and  many  of  whom,  I am  afraid,  we  shall  find  it  very  hard 
work  to  straighten  out,  unless  we  send  them  out  to  sea  on  the  Beform 
Ship,  to  kinder  climes,  where  the  surroundings  will  be  more  favorable 
to  them.  We  have,  also,  a Girls’  Beform  School,  of  which,  I am 
happy  to  say,  the  result  is  more  favorable,  and  by  means  of  which 
many,  we  hope,  are  saved  from  destruction. 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


115 


This  island  was  originally,  or  has  been  of  late,  the  Quarantine  Sta- 
tion,— a thought  which  brings  us  more  directly  to  the  subject  which 
has  called  you  together.  Here  it  was  that  first  we  had  the  hospital  of 
the  ship-fever.  The  white  buildings  about  the  island  were  rattled  up 
in  the  course  of  a couple  of  weeks,  for  the  shelter  of  the  poor  Irish 
emigrants,  of  whom  we  landed  whole  ship-loads, — four  or  five  hundred 
at  a time, — nearly  all  infected  with  the  disease.  And  having,  at  first, 
no  shelter  for  them  but  the  tents,  we  were  compelled  to  lay  them,  roof- 
less, upon  the  hill.  And  as  the  poor  creatures  were  laid  upon  mother 
earth,  and  smelt  the  wholesome  odor  from  the  ground,  they  crawled, 
often,  and  bit  their  teeth  into  it,  and  began  to  be  resuscitated  and 
revived.  (Applause.)  At  one  time  there  were  upon  this  island 
something  like  fifteen  hundred  ship-fever  patients ; and  the  greater 
part  of  them  were  saved,  and  a great  many  of  them,  we  trust,  have 
become  better  citizens  of  our  free  and  glorious  Republic. 

Here  is  our  Quarantine  Station,  and  although  we  think  that  our 
commerce,  to  use  a Yankee  phrase,  is  “ some  pumpkins,”  I ask  you  to 
look  at  our  roadsteads,  and  you  will  see  not  an  anchor  is  dropped  there, 
to  tell  you  of  that  almost  brutal  law  of  delaying  and  embarrassing  com- 
merce, by  holding  a ship  in  quarantine.  (Applause.)  I think  that 
Boston  has  been  enlightened  upon  this  point  by  the  action  of  this 
Quarantine  Convention.  I had  the  honor  to  sit  as  a member,  in  New 
York,  and,  I think,  never,  in  the  space  of  two  days,  did  I gain  more 
valuable  information  than  I did  from  the  discussion,  there,  in  regard  to 
the  yellow  fever,  the  very  name  of  which  has  carried  terror  to  every 
landsman  and  every  sailor.  In  this  Convention,  bringing  together  gen- 
tlemen from  every  portion  of  the  country,  one  from  Savannah,  another 
from  New  Orleans,  another  from  Memphis,  where  the  fever  had 
raged,  with  our  cool-blooded  and  scientific  men  of  the  North,  consult- 
ing upon  this  great  evil,  truths  were  brought  home,  conviction  came 
to  every  heart,  that  this  dreaded  tyrant  of  ship-fever  was  as  harmless 
as  an  infant,  and  that  contagion  from  its  contact  was  no  more  to  be 
feared  than  disease  from  contact  with  either  of  us.  Mr.  President, 
we  see  a great  point  made.  In  consequence  of  the  efforts  of  those 
fifty  to  a hundred  scientific  men,  popular  inquiry  has  been  aroused, 
public  opinion  enlightened,  and  the  community  have  begun  to  under- 
stand that  they  are  not  endangered  by  proximity  to  a yellow-fever  pa- 
tient,— that  ships  can  come  up  to  the  wharf,  and  that  commerce  need 
not  be  restricted  by  the  twenty,  thirty,  or  fifty  days’  quarantine  which 
has  been  required  in  some  ports.  We  owe  that,  sir,  as  has  been  said, 
to  a single  gentleman.  With  him  originated  the  idea  of  bringing 
together  scientific  and  strong  minds,  for  consultation  upon  the  subjects 
which  have  occupied  the  notice  of  this  Convention. 

You  have  heard,  from  him,  his  humorous  illustration  of  what  Boston 
has  done.  He  has  told  you  that  this  city  was  the  first  to  quarantine 
yourselves ; but  he  should  have  gone  further,  and  told  you  that  his 
glorious  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  Independence  Hall,  in  that  city, 
was  the  place  where  the  first  Quarantine  Convention  sat,  (applause  and 
laughter,)  that  framed  that  glorious  bill  of  American  principles  under 
which  our  government  now  exists.  (Cheers.)  He  should  have  told 


116 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


you,  too,  that  his  native  city  was  the  place  where  the  first  of  these  Quar- 
antine Conventions  sat,  to  which,  I am  proud  to  say,  Boston  more 
promptly  responded,  by  sending  her  delegates,  than  any  other  city  in 
the  Union.  (Applause.)  Following  the  lead  of  that  distingu  shed 
medical  man  of  Philadelphia,  this  Convention  has  grown  to  be  an  in- 
stitution in  the  country.  And  I rejoice  that  the  present  Convention 
has  agitated  a measure  to  make  it  a permanent  American  association 
for  the  advancement  of  sanitary  science.  (Applause.)  I need  not 
speak  further  of  the  distinguished  gentleman  who  first)  agitated  the 
idea  of  sanitary  conventions.  You  have  heard  him  and  looked  upon 
him,  and,  Jewell  as  he  is,  I think  you  are  all  satisfied  that  there  is  not 
a particle  of  paste  in  his  nature. 

Our  friends,  Mr.  President,  seem  to  be  favorably  impressed,  and  I 
think  they  are  all  highly  pleased  with  the  treatment  which  they 
have  received  at  Deer  Island.  In  the  first  place,  as  they  approached 
the  wharf,  we  showed  them  what  the  science  of  nutrition  can  do  for 
the  health,  and  growth,  and  progress  of  man, — we  showed  them  a 
sample  brick  of  the  institution.  I think  you  will  all  agree  with  me 
that  he  is  a brick  indeed.  (Great  laughter  and  applause.)  But,  sir, 
if  there  remained  any  doubt  about  that,  we  have  taken  these  lately 
admitted  inmates,  and,  without  putting  them  through  the  first  process 
of  cleansing,  and  changing  their  dress,  we  are  willing  to  step  over  the 
rules  of  the  establishment,  and  admit  them,  at  once,  to  the  kits,  and 
the  mush,  and  the  beans  (laughter)  ; and  I find  that,  what  with  the 
salt  air,  and  the  ride,  and  the  genial  influences  of  the  institution,  it  is 
beginning  to  work  wonders. 

By  the  way,  I must  say  that  my  friend  the  Speaker  is  not  half  so 
brave,  here,  as  is  his  wont.  He  talks  to  me  in  different  terms  from 
those  which  he  employs  in  his  high  place  at  the  State  House.  Here, 
he  talks  in  commendatory  language ; but  there,  with  the  gavel,  he 
orders  and  we  obey.  I saw,  as  he  talked  about  the  condition  in  which 
he  came  here,  lean  and  hungry,  that  as  he  spoke  he  tried  to  bring  his 
coat  together,  and  it  wouldn’t  meet.  (Laughter.)  I think,  sir,  that  is 
evidence  that  we  have  done  something  for  him  ; but  what  has  he  done 
in  return  ? Down  here  at  Boston,  partaking  of  Boston  hospitality,  he 
tells  us  about  a stupid  old  mandarin  and  somebody  else,  acrbss  the 
water,  talking  of  Massachusetts  being  near  Boston,  and  London  being 
near  Salem  ! He  is  talking  about  times  when  he  was  a boy.  If  he 
should  go  to  Canton  now,  and  tell  a mandarin  that  he  was  from  Mas- 
sachusetts, the  probability  is  that  the  Chinaman  would  ask  him,  “ Is  it 
anywhere  near  Lowell  ? ” (Laughter.)  That  is  where  they  manufac- 
ture cotton  goods,  and  turn  out  good  men  ; it  is  where  my  friend  the 
Speaker  lives  ; it  is  thought  by  some  to  be  the  hub  of  creation,  and  the 
hub  of  good-fellowship  in  the  bargain. 

But,  sir,  I shall  not  trouble  y^u  any  longer  with  my  gabble.  I 
touched  upon  the  subject  of  nutrition.  Perhaps  some  of  you  don’t 
know  that  here  at  the  North  we  have  a way  of  thinking  for  ourselves, 
and  doing  pretty  much  as  we  like,  too,  whether  other  men  like  it  or 
not.  We  have  all  kinds  of  isms.  First,  Homoeopathy,  which  fights 
the  disease  within  you  with  a little  pill  of  sugar,  — and  many  are  will- 


National  Quarantine  Convention.  117 

ing  to  get  well  by  so  easy  a remedy.  Then  we  have  the  Allopathist, 
who  holds  to  the  good  old  ways  ; and  then  the  Hydropath,  who  washes 
out  all  diseases  from  the  system  by  outside  bathing ; though  they  have 
found  out,  at  last,  that  when  there  is  a system  of  internal  bathing  to 
resist  the  external  influence,  the  water  system  doesn’t  seem  to  flourish. 
(Renewed  laughter.)  More  than  that,  gentlemen,  at  the  southern  part 
of  the  city  we  have  a hospital  where  petticoats  are  pre-eminent,  and 
sign  M.  D.  to  their  names, — and  many  young  gentlemen  are  disposed 
to  be  sick,  for  the  purpose  of  calling  in  yQung  female  physicians. 
(Laughter.)  But  we  have  still  another  class,  who  propose  to  cure  dis- 
ease by  nutrition,  and  I think  they  are  the  most  sensible  of  the  lot. 
My  friend  there  at  my  right,  for  example,  being  in  feeble  health,  diets 
himself,  and  limits  his  food.  I have  observed  him  this  afternoon,  and 
observe  that  he  diets  himself  by  eating  the  best  he  can  get,  and  limits 
himself  by  devouring  as  much  as  he  can  get  through  with,  and  then 
wiping  his  lips,  says  he  “thinks  the  salt  air  does  him  a great  deal  of 
good.” 

You  have  many  more  gentlemen  present,  sir,  from  whom  we  should 
hear ; and  we  should  not  inflict  so  much  of  Boston  nonsense  in  prefer- 
ence to  the  sound  science  and  good  sense  that  we  shall  get  from  our 
friends  from  abroad.  Therefore,  thanking  the  Convention  for  the  kind- 
ness they  have  shown  to  me,  I only  hope  that  their  remaining  days  are 
to  be  as  happy  as  the  previous  ones,  and  that  they  may  go  away  with 
no  bad  idea  of  the  intentions  of  Bostonians  towards  their  friends,  come 
they  from  where  they  may.  (Applause,  and  three  cheers  for  the 
speaker.) 

Sentiment:  The  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Boston,  the  pop- 
ular branch  of  the  City  Council. 

J.  P.  Bradlee,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Common  Council,  re- 
sponded : — 

In  the  first  place,  gentlemen,  in  behalf  of  the  Common  Council,  I 
wish  to  extend  to  our  friends  from  the  South  as  hearty  a welcome  as 
could  possibly  have  been  given  by  our  worthy  Mayor.  Not  having  been 
permitted,  in  consequence  of  circumstances,  to  join  with  the  gentle- 
men of  the  Convention,  thus  far,  I take  this  occasion,  in  behalf  of  the 
branch  which  I represent,  to  tender  them  a hearty  and  cordial  welcome 
to  Boston.  (Applause.)  I do  not  know  what  our  honored  Mayor  has 
said  to  them,  but,  at  any  rate,  what  he  has  said  I must  fully  and 
warmly  indorse.  (Applause.)  It  was  not  intended,  gentlemen,  that  I 
should  get  up  here  to  make  a speech.  I have  been  informed  by  the 
worthy  President  of  this  Convention,  that  that  was  not  the  intention  in 
calling  upon  me;  and  to  those  gentlemen  who  know  me, — when  he 
says  popular  branch,  he  means  the  branch  that  is  to  be  used  for  any 
popular  occasion.  [Laughter.]  If  he  had  only  been  an  Alderman,  I 
could  hit  him  a little  harder.  He  only  uses  me  to  say  that  the  time 
for  these  festivities  is  nearly  exhausted,  and  he  is  very  anxious  to  show 
you  these  institutions  ; he  only  got  me  up  here  to  announce  to  you  that 
(after  what  I shall  say)  there  will  be  no  more  speech-making,  but  he 
will  be  very  happy  to  show  you  through  the  buildings.  Therefore,  I 


118 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


may  close  by  saying  that  the  Common  Council,  a co-ordinate  branch  of 
the  City  Government,  welcome  this  Convention  heartily  to  Boston,  and 
its  representatives  from  all  parts  of  the  Union,  and  that  we  share,  on 
this  occasion,  as  always,  the  sentiment  of  Daniel  Webster,  “Liberty 
and  Union,  now  and  forever,  one  and  inseparable.” 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  speeches,  the  company  returned  to  the  city 
highly  pleased  with  the  entertainment. 


BANQUET 


AT  THE 


REYERE  HOUSE. 


' 


■ 


BANQUET. 


On  Saturday  afternoon.  June  16,  by  invitation  of  tbe  City  Council, 
the  members  of  the  Convention  partook  of  a dinner  at  the  Revere 
House. 

Punctually  at  five  o’clock,  the  company  assembled  in  the  large 
parlor,  and  repaired  to  the  dining-room,  the  Brigade  band  play- 
ing a march  meanwhile.  After  a blessing  by  Rev.  Chandler  Robbins, 
D.D.,  the  company  gave  their  attention  to  the  repast  before  them. 

At  the  right  of  the  Mayor  were  Grov.  Banks,  Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow, 
Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  Dr.  0.  W.  Holmes,  Dr.  Gluthrie,  of  Ten- 
nessee ; on  his  left,  Dr.  Jewell,  of  Philadelphia,  Hon.  Edward  Everett^ 
Mayor  Arnold,  of  Savannah,  Mr.  Haswell,  of  New  York,  Dr.  Knight, 
Mayor  of  Providence,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Robbins. 

At  about  half-past  six  o’clock,  His  Honor,  Mayor  Lincoln,  rose 
and  said : — 

Glentlemen  of  the  National  Quarantine  Convention:  In  behalf  of 
the  City  Council  here  assembled,  I bid  you  a most  cordial  welcome  to 
this  scene  of  our  festivities.  In  the  course  of  a municipal  year  we 
have  often  to  extend  the  hand  of  greeting  to  strangers  who  may  visit 
us.  But  never  have  we  had  an  occasion  which  has  called  more  loudly 
for  our  sympathies,  and  which  has  so  justly  demanded  all  the  cour- 
tesies which  it  is  in  our  power  to  bestow.  (Applause.) 

Associated  effort  is  the  more  important  element  of  power  in 
modern  times ) but,  when  it  is  combined  for  such  a purpose  as  has 
called  together  the  Convention  which  has  been  in  session  for  the  last 
three  days  in  this  city,  its  influence  cannot  but  be  beneficial,  and  pro- 
motive of  the  highest  good.  It  is  no  selfish  motive  of  personal  aggran- 
dizement or  profit  which  has  called  you  together ; but  the  health  and 
happiness  of  your  various  communities  have  been  your  themes,  and  the 
16 


122  • National  Quarantine  Convention. 

democratic  motto  of  u the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number/’  has 
been  the  object  of  your  highest  ambition,  and  the  aim  of  all  your 
deliberations. 

We  rejoice  that  you  saw  fit  to  select  Boston  as  the  place  for  your 
councils ; it  will  awaken  our  own  community  to  the  importance  of  the 
great  cause  of  sanitary  reform.  We  will  unite  with  the  great  cities  of 
Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  and  New  York,  where  those  Conventions 
have  been  held,  and  with  all  the  other  cities  of  the  Union,  in  carrying 
it  forward;  and  “ the  blessings  of  many  that  were  ready  to  perish” 
will  be  our  exceeding  great  reward. 

You  have  come  here,  gentlemen,  as  the  representatives  of  many 
different  States  of  the  Union ; sitting  together  as  we  do  here  in  social 
harmony  in  this  our  historical  city,  on  the  eve  of  the  anniversary  of 
the  first  great  battle  of  the  Be  volution,  with  patriotic  and  pleasant 
memories  of  the  Fathers,  this  Convention  itself,  in  addition  to  its 
primary  object,  will  have  no  inconsiderable  influence  in  binding 
together  as  one  this  great  and  happy  Bepublic. 

We  have  welcomed  you  here  as  men  of  science  and  men  of  letters, 
as  philanthropists  and  benefactors  of  your  race,  and  trust  your  sojourn 
in  Boston  may  have  been  as  pleasant  to  you  as  your  labors  will  be 
beneficial  to  the  country. 

I now  give  you  the  first  regular  sentiment : — 

Sanitary  Science  — As  illustrated  and  enforced  by  the  Fourth 
National  Convention  of  its  friends.  May  its  fruits  be  for  the  “ healing 
of  the  nations.” 

Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow,  President  of  the  Convention,  was  introduced 
to  respond,  which  he  did  as  follows  : — 

Mr.  Mayor  : I congratulate  you,  sir,  and  the  members  of  this 
Convention,  on  the  successful  termination  of  the  labors  of  the  week. 
Having  happily  survived  your  visit  to  the  scenes  of  quarantine  and 
lazaretto,  of  pestilence  and  contagion,  of  long  speeches  and  protracted 
sight-seeing,  you  have  come  once  more  to  peril  your  useful  lives  in 
confronting  the  hospitalities  and  temptations  of  the  ubiquitous  Paran 
Stevens.  Your  meeting  has  been  adjourned  sine  die , but  we  shall  not 
admit  without  debate  that  it  is  adjourned  sine  node.  The  best  part  of 
a letter  is  sometimes  found  in  its  postscript,  and  we  trust  that  this 
supplementary  meeting  will  not  prove  the  less  agreeable,  admitting  as 
it  does  of  a freer  intercourse,  untrammelled  by  parliamentary  rules 
and  regulations.  Your  tutelary  saint  is  no  longer  St.  Lazarus.  Let 
him  henceforth  be  the  more  genial  St.  Nicholas. 

In  visiting  Massachusetts,  we  hope  the  Convention  have  not  lost 
their  way.  They  have  certainly  got  into  a healthy  district.  We 
are  well  known  as  a land  of  rock  and  ice.  We  do  not  deal  in 
marsh  miasmata,  in  yellow  fever,  nor  in  chills  and  ague.  The 
worst  that  can  be  said  of  us  is  that  we  entertain  a few  suspicious 
east  winds  in  the  spring  of  the  year.  Perhaps  we  are  entitled  to 
the  stigma  applied  to  another  place  by  a parodizing  poet. 


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123 


“ There  shall  the  spring  its  earliest  coughs  bestow, 

There  the  first  Noses  of  the  year  shall  blow.” 

Mr.  Chairman,  the  citizens  of  this  country  are  emphatically  a 
debating  and  a speech-making  people.  This  is  our  besetting  dis- 
ease. No  quarantine  has  yet  been  able  to  limit  the  spread  of  our 
propensity  to  talk,  and  its  epidemic,  nay,  its  contagious  progress,  has 
been  distinctly  traced  from  one  city  to  another,  accompanying  the 
movements  of  Conventions.  No  Committee  has  yet  reported  any 
feasible  or  satisfactory  plan  for  arresting  its  progress.  And,  until 
they  do  so,  I think  it  a safer  and  more  gratifying  policy  to  let  it 
take  its  course,  for  it  appears  thus  far  to  be  a safe  disease,  and 
nobody  has  yet  been  known  to  die  of  it,  however  near  to  that 
catastrophe  some  of  the  hearers  may  have  been. 

I am  only  a consulting  physician  of  the  city,  and  the  City  Fathers 
have  not  asked  my  opinion  as  to  their  bill  of  fare,  either  material 
or  intellectual.  But  such  is  their  well-known  liberality  of  senti- 
ment, that  I am  sure  they  would  be  the  last  persons  to  impose 
any  restrictions  upon  your  appetites,  still  less  to  put  bridles  upon 
your  eloquence.  Thus  far  they  have  only  attempted  to  get  bits 
into  your  mouths,  and,  such  as  they  are,  I hope  you  have  been 
able  to  champ  them  without  inconvenience. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  attend  the  meetings  of  Sanitary  Conven- 
tions to  satisfy  us  that  our  lot  is  cast  in  a perilous  age,  and  that 
we  are  surrounded  with  dangers,  both  real  and  imaginary.  In  this 
country,  indeed,  we  may  be  exempt  from  some  of  the  calamities  of 
the  old  world,  from  wars,  mobs,  sieges,  and  revolutions.  But  where 
shall  we  fly  to  escape  from  east  winds  and  dogdays,  from  pesti- 
lences that  come  and  pestilences  that  do  not  come,  from  ships  that 
bring  us  yellow  fever  and  quarantines  that  nourish  and  cultivate  it, 
from  cattle  diseases  that  can  only  be  exterminated  by  exterminating 
the  cattle,  from  lead  pipes  for  water  contrived  to  kill  everybody 
except  the  animacules,  from  fraudulent  food  and  deleterious  physic, 
from  drugs  that  are  poisonous  and  poisons  that  are  adulterated, 
from  infectious  patients  whose  pulses  must  be  felt  with  a pair  of 
tongs  and  their  chests  explored  with  a tarred  stethoscope  ? 

There  are  perils  of  nervous  men  and  nervous  communities  which 
can  neither  be  estimated  nor  remedied.  Like  the  amphibious  animal 
of  the  showman  which  dies  in  the  water  and  cannot  live  upon  land, 
it  is  in  vain  that  the  unhappy  inquirer  resorts  to  his  statistical 
tables  to  inform  himself  whether  there  is  most  danger  in  a steam- 
boat or  on  a railroad,  — he  unfortunately  learns  that  the  most  dan- 
gerous thing  a man  can  do  is  to  go  to  bed,  for  more  people  die  in 
bed  than  anywhere  else. 

For  these  evils,  and  many  others  yet  unknown,  we  trust  that  the 
wisdom  of  future  Conventions  will  yet  devise  a remedy.  In  the 
mean  time,  we  may  be  compelled  to  adopt,  as  a temporary  expedient, 
the  course  recommended  by  the  editors  of  the  Quarterly  Keview,  in 
their  account  of  a popular  work  on  culinary  poisons.  After  an  ex- 
amination of  the  manifold  dangers,  real  and  imaginary,  which  now 


124 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


surround  the  denizens  of  civilized  countries,  they  offer  the  following 
consolatory  suggestions. 

u We  feel  that  it  only  remains  for  us  to  eat  our  dinners  and  swallow 
our  boluses  with  what  appetites  we  may,  confident  that  if  death  .does 
not  come  to  us  out  of  the  pot,  or  out  of  the  gallipot,  he  will  find  some 
other  mode  of  getting  at  us.” 

Mayor  Lincoln.  We  lay  brethren  have  been  very  much  con- 
founded, as  well  as  amused,  by  the  discussions  within  the  last  two  or 
three  days,  in  regard  to  what  is  “ State  Medicine.”  I propose  to  give 
a sentiment  on  that  subject. 

His  Excellency  the  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachu- 
setts— When  the  doctors  can  agree  as  to  the  meaning  of  the  phrase, 
“ State  Medicine,”  may  he  administer  it  in  gentle  doses,  that  it  may 
have  the  desired  effect. 

On  rising  to  respond  to  this  sentiment,  G-ov.  Banks  was  greeted  with 
prolonged  cheers,  which  he  gracefully  acknowledged  and  proceeded  to 
say:  — 

Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Sanitary  Committee : I am  quite 
ignorant,  I am  sorry  to  say,  of  the  discussions  to  which  His  Honor  the 
Mayor  has  alluded  to  as  having  taken  place  in  your  meetings;  but  the 
prescription  of  one  of  the  best  fellows  this  world  has  ever  seen,  is,  I 
think,  about  as  well  adapted  to  this  company  and  this  Commonwealth 
as  any  I know.  He  said,  “ Let  me  have  about  me  good  fellows,  such 
as  can  eat  good  dinners  and  sleep  o’  nights.”  (Great  laughter.) 
So  I am  inclined  to  think  that  a State  medicine  that  should  be  as  con- 
ducive to  the  public  health  as  any  other,  would  be  participation  in 
good  company.  And  as  there  is  no  better  prescription  than  that,  so 
there  is  no  better  specimen  of  it  than  that  over  which  His  Honor  the 
Mayor  presides  this  evening. 

I welcome  you,  so  far  as  I may  be  permitted  to  do  it  with  propriety, 
as  His  Honor  the  Mayor  has  already  done.  From  the  great  States  in 
the  interior,  from  your  homes,  wherever  they  may  be,  I welcome  you 
here ; and  I believe,  from  the  depth  of  my  heart,  that  our  Common- 
wealth will  be  the  better  for  your  visits.  (Applause.)  To  whatever 
disabilities  we  may  be  subjected  to  here,  and  however  we  may  prescribe 
in  the  way  of  that  good  prescription  to  which  I have  alluded,  I trust 
that  you  will  be  none  the  worse  on  your  departure  from  our  midst. 
(Renewed  applause.) 

The  great  object  which  you  have  under  consideration  is  one  that 
affects  the  State,  perhaps,  more  than  it  does  smaller  communities  or 
individuals ; for  it  is  your  work,  not  so  much  to  create  nations,  as  to 
preserve  nations,  and  to  expound  for  the  conservation  of  the  public 
health  wise  and  unintermitting  sanitary  regulations,  without  which, 
that  which  Divine  Providence  has  done  for  us  so  well,  would  have  been 
done  almost  in  vain.  It  is  but  fifteen  years  ago,  it  was  said  in  the 
House  of  Commons,  that  the  English  could  never  contend  with  a 
people  of  a neighboring  State  while  their  sons  and  daughters  labored 
seventeen  hours  in  the  mills,  and  who,  by  the  operation,  were  made  so 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


125 


small  that  they  could  not  he  received  into  the  army.  Said  Lord 
Macaulay,  when  England  surrenders  the  foremost  portion  of  the  earth, 
she  will  surrender  it  to  no  race  of  dwarfs,  but  to  a people  pre-eminent 
for  strength  of  mind  and  strength  of  body.  This  is  the  great  object 
which  you  have  had  under  consideration,  — how  we  may  preserve  this 
power  of  nations,  without  which  communities  and  States  are  organized 
in  vain,  and  individual  health  and  happiness  must  be  sought  elsewhere. 

But  I do  not  mean  to  go  further  in  this  course  of  remark.  I am 
inclined,  in  the  matter  of  medical  prescriptions,  to  adopt  the  doctrine 
of  the  Autocrat,  on  my  right  (Dr.  Holmes) ; and  I believe  we  are 
indebted  to  his  philosophy  in  this  as  in  many  other  matters;  and  I 
believe  that  the  fewer  doctors,  the  greater  the  health  of  the  public. 
(Laughter.)  That  is  the  reason  why  we  attend  to  sanitary  matters, 
and  take  less  of  the  physic. 

I am  sure  that,  looking  on  my  right  and  left  and  in  front,  it  is  not 
my  privilege  to  trespass  longer  on  your  attention.  I would,  Your  Honor, 
that  the  ladies  had  been  represented  in  the  State  government,  for  then 
we  might  have  had  their  ideas  on  the  subject;  and  certainly  nobody 
can  compare  with  them  in  the  way  of  speaking. 

G-ov.  Banks  closed  by  offering  the  following  sentiment : — 

Man  and  Woman  — The  parents  of  the  human  race  — May  the 
cities  and  States  they  founded  never  cease  to  maintain  the  wise  sanitary 
regulations  which  will  secure  to  their  offspring  what,  after  the  immor- 
tality of  our  nature,  must  be  regarded  as  the  noblest  of  heritages  and 
the  richest  of  blessings,  — a sound  mind  and  a sound  body. 

The  next  regular  sentiment  was  — 

New  York : An  empire  in  domain  and  commercial  importance,  — 
her  great  metropolis  a wonder  of  busy  activity.  We  rejoice  in  their 
power  while  striving  to  excel  it.  May  friendly  emulations  never  im- 
pair friendly  relations. 

Mr.  Charles  H.  Haswell,  of  New  York,  responded  as  follows : — 

Mr.  Mayor : It  is  with  no  ordinary  feelings  of  embarrassment  that 
I rise  to  respond  to  a sentiment  so  kindly  given  to  the  State  and  city 
of  which  I am  a delegate  to  this  Convention.  My  embarrassment  is 
of  a double  character,  growing  out  of  the  magnitude  of  your  kindness, 
and  my  inability  to  represent,  as  it  ought  to  be  done,  the  city  for  whom 
I speak.  I need  all  the  eloquence  of  the  gentleman  from  Savannah, 
and  all  the  wit  and  humor  of  the  gentleman  from  Philadelphia,  to  do 
justice  to  my  position.  Feeling  my  inadequacy  to  the  task  you  have 
so  kindly  called  on  me  to  perform,  I will,  with  your  indulgence,  close 
with  a sentiment  which  I consider  is  due  to  the  city  of  Boston.  I 
was  brought  up  on  Fort  Hill,  and  I can  recollect  Boston  when  there 
was  no  connection  between  it  and  Boxbury  but  a country  road.  It  is 
with  no  ordinary  feelings  of  pride,  therefore,  that  I find  Boston  the 
magnificent  city  that  she  is  to-day.  I will  give  you  — 

The  City  of  Boston — Unsurpassed  in  its  municipal  laws,  unequalled 
in  its  observance  of  them. 

The  next  sentiment  was — 


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National  Quarantine  Convention. 


Philadelphia  and  Boston  — Associated  in  the  past  by  revolutionary 
events ; united  in  the  present  by  the  measures  of  sanitary  reform. 
May  their  citizens  ever  cherish  towards  each  other  the  spirit  of 
“ brotherly  love.” 

Dr.  Wilson  Jewell,  of  Philadelphia,  was  called  on  to  respond  to 
this  sentiment,  and  as  he  rose,  three  cheers  for  Pennsylvania  were 
called  for  and  heartily  given.  He  then  said  : — 

Mr.  President : I wish  to  say  to  you  now,  once  for  all,  that  I am 
no  speech-maker;  but  of  all  speeches,  after-dinner  speeches  are  those 
that  I am  unaccustomed  to  make.  I am  a sanitarian,  sir,  both  in  theory 
and  practice ; and  while  I glory  in  the  name,  I am,  at  the  same  time, 
fond  of  carrying  out  my  sanitarian  principles  on  every  proper  occasion. 
If  there  is  any  class  of  men  who  should  be  familiarized  as  to  what  is 
good  for  their  health,  it  is  sanitarians,  and  I always  like  to  follow  our 
sanitarian  gatherings  with  such  an  healthful  entertainment  as  the  one 
before  us.  (Good,  and  laughter.) 

Mr.  President : I am  happy  to  know  that  at  last  we  have  found  out 
what  “State  Medicine”  means,  (laughter,)  and  the  best  definition 
I am  capable  of  giving  of  it  at  this  time  is  that  of  a good  dinner  after 
a Sanitary  Convention.  (Great  laughter  and  applause.) 

But,  Mr.  President,  I arose  more  particularly  to  thank  you  for  the 
complimentary  manner  in  which  you  have  recognized  Philadelphia  in 
placing  her  side  by  side  with  Boston,  “ the  city  of  notions,”  for  I 
have  a notion,  sir,  that  Boston  is  a kingly  and  a princely  city,  and 
knows  full  well  how  to  entertain  her  friends  in  a superbly  hospitable 
manner.  (Great  applause.) 

Mr.  President,  I am  proud,  for  my  native  city  of  Philadelphia,  to 
be  associated  with  Boston  in  the  past  by  revolutionary  events,  and  I 
rejoice  that  in  the  present  measures  of  sanitary  reform  we  are  happily 
united.  In  the  former  instance,  Boston  was  the  first  to  start  the 
revolutionary  reform,  while  Philadelphia  had  the  honor  of  handing  it 
down  complete,  signed,  sealed,  and  delivered  to  a free  and  inde- 
pendent people.  In  the  present  case,  Philadelphia  was  the  first  to 
move  in  sanitary  reform,  and  I am  happy,  moreover,  to  know  that, 
while  she  set  the  ball  in  motion,  Boston,  with  her  energy  and  intelli- 
gence, has  arrested  it,  and  placed  it  where  it  properly  belongs. 
(Applause.)  Be  it  known,  sir,  that  this  was  a Quarantine  Conven- 
tion originally,  and  during  this  session  we  have  settled  the  long- 
agitated  principle  as  to  what  a quarantine  should  be. 

At  present,  sir,  we  are  still  standing,  as  it  were,  in  the  vestibule  of 
sanitary  reform, — one  of  the  greatest  reforms  that  this  country  has  ever 
entered  upon,  the  great  reform  of  the  age ; and  truly  may  it  be  said, 
as  was  hinted  by  one  who  preceded  me,  that  the  day  is  rapidly  ap- 
proaching when  clinical  doctors  will  scarcely  be  needed,  and  when 
sanitarians  will  take  their  places,  arid  when  we  shall  not  so'  much 
attend  to  the  health  of  the  human  body  as  to  the  condition  of  the 
body  politic. 

Mr.  President,  I have  no  disposition  to  speak  of  myself  or  of  my 
efforts  in  this  cause ; but  you  know  not,  sir,  what  difficulties  I encoun- 


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127 


tered  and  what  prejudices  I had  to  overcome,  in  consequence  of  the 
opposition  or  the  indifference  of  those  who  frowned  upon  and  en- 
deavored to  prevent  the  organization  of  the  Convention  which  met  in 
Philadelphia,  in  1857.  I had  not  a hand  to  aid  me  in  the  incipiency 
of  this  cause  at  home  ; our  municipal  corporation  slumbered  over  its 
interests,  and  they  are  still  sleeping  over  it.  I was  discouraged  at 
every  point.  Even  my  medical  friends  said,  “ You  had  better  not 
attempt  the  calling  of  a Convention ; we  are  not  prepared  for  it ; it 
will  prove  a failure.”  But  I was  determined  to  make  the  attempt,  let 
the  result  be  as  it  might ; I knew  there  was  a go-aheadativeness  in  our 
country,  and  that,  if  the  movement  was  a good  one,  it  would  be  re- 
sponded to ; and  it  has  been  responded  to  nobly.  (Applause.)  I 
will  tell  you  by  whom  it  was  first  responded  to.  It  was  by  Boston. 
(Applause.)  Boston  was  the  first  to  lend  a helping  hand  to  aid  and 
encourage  us.  She  sent  almost  her  entire  City  Council  with  the 
Mayor  at  its  head,  and  Philadelphia  is  indebted  to  Boston  for  the 
efficient  aid  she  has  given  in  this  reform  measure ; and  I thank  her 
from  the  bottom  of  my  heart  for  thus  coming  to  the  help  of  Philadel- 
phia in  this  great  reform  measure.  I now  rejoice,  sir,  that  the  inter- 
ests of  this  institution  are  being  felt  and  appreciated  over  the  entire 
country.  We  have  welcomed  representatives  from  Georgia  and  from 
the  Far  West;  and  now  the  West  is  calling  upon  us,  and  Ohio  has 
sent  the  Macedonian  cry,  “ Come  over  and  help  us.”  We  have  re- 
solved to  go  there  and  help  them  next  year  when  we  meet  at  Cincin- 
nati. 

Sir,  I will  not  extend  my  remarks  further  than  to  again  say  that  I 
thank  yon  for  the  complimentary  manner  in  which  you  have  spoken 
of  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  (Applause.) 

The  next  sentiment  was  — 

Savannah  — A name  harmonious  and  sweet  upon  the  ear,  and  full 
of  pleasant  fancies.  May  the  health-seeking  wish  that  associates  her 
to-day  with  Boston,  be  a type  of  future  mutual  study  to  secure  a 
healthful  union  of  good-will  and  friendship. 

Hon.  E.  D.  Arnold,  Mayor  of  Savannah,  on  rising  to  respond,  was 
greeted  with  three  cheers.  He  spoke  as  follows  : — 

Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen  of  the  City  of  Boston,  and  my  Co- 
members of  the  Sanitary  Convention : There  was  an  adage  ex- 
tant in  former  days,  which,  like  a great  many  other  things,  has 
been  swept  out  of  existence  by  the  progress  of  events.  That  adage 
was,  that  u time  and  tide  wait  for  no  man.”  Now,  gentlemen, 
though  we  may  have  got  ahead  of  time  and  tide,  I have  to  say  that, 
as  I belong  to  that  unfortunate  class  who  must  go  away  to-night,  the 
cars  wait  for  no  man.  Never  in  my  life  did  I regret  that  I had  to 
measure  the  moments  that  I might  remain  as  1 do  now.  I could 
wish  that  I had  another  hour-glass,  and  that  every  sand  as  it  dropped 
might  measure  an  hour ; because  I have  come  from  a great  distance, 
representing  a city  which  is  particularly  interested  in  commerce  as. 


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the  means  of  interchanging  the  agricultural  products  of  the  country 
with  the  products  of  the  whole  world,  including  Boston  and  Salem. 
(Laughter.)  And  I am  glad  that  before  I came  here  the  Convention 
of  last  year  swept  away  one  of  the  last  relics  of  barbarism, — the  infer- 
nal restrictions  of  quarantine.  Thank  God  that  was  a relic  of  barbar- 
ism that  did  not  belong  to  our  peculiar  institution.  (Laughter  and 
great  applause.) 

Much,  then,  has  already  been  accomplished.  One  of  the  most  sin- 
cere pleasures  I had  yesterday  was,  while  addressing  many  of  those 
whom  I see  here  to-day,  to  pay  a heartfelt  compliment  to  the 
gentleman  who  had  just  taken  his  seat,  of  whom  it  may  justly  be  said, 
“ Monumentum  se  quceris  ; circumspice.” 

As  another  evidence  that  we  are  in  the  line  of  progress,  I will  refer 
to  an  occurrence  which  took  place  in  this  very  room,  eleven  years  ago, 
when  the  physicians  of  Boston  entertained  the  American  Medical  As- 
sociation. The -culinary  art  had  been  exhausted  in  the  preparation  of 
the  solids,  but  the  fluids  were  represented  only  by  Cochituate  water. 

To-night  we  have  come  to  the  banquet  marching  to  the  inspiring 
sounds  of  music,  and  now  (holding up  a glass  of  sparkling  Champagne) 
no  bridle  is  put  on  our  tongues  by  dipping  them  in  cold  water.  I 
give  you  — 

The  progress  of  Boston  in  sanitary  matters,  and  also  in  gastronomic 
matters. 

The  next  sentiment  was  — • 

Providence  — Our  next  neighbor  and  friend.  She  will  give  us  to- 
night, through  the  lips  of  her  Mayor,  a knight- ly  response  to  our  cor- 
dial “ what  cheer.” 

His  Honor,  Mayor  Jabez  C.  Knight,  of  Providence,  being  called 
on  to  respond,  said  : — 

I desire  to  acknowledge  the  compliment  which  has  just  been  ex- 
pressed in  behalf  of  the  city  that  I have  the  honor  to  represent  here 
on  this  occasion,  and  also  in  the  name  of  my  associates  who  were  dele- 
gates to  this  Convention,  most  of  whom  have  found  it  necessary  to 
return.  Por  them  as  well  as  myself,  I desire  to  express  the  obligation 
that  we  are  under  to  Your  Honor,  to  the  City  Council  of  the  city  of 
Boston,  and  to  the  citizens  of  Boston,  for  the  sumptuous  hospitality 
with  which  we  have  been  received  and  entertained  during  our  visit. 
And  we  indulge  the  hope  that  some  opportunity  will  be  given  to 
reciprocate  this  kindness  and  this  hospitality.  We  had  heard  of  Bos- 
ton notions,  but  we  never  before  fully  understood  the  term  j but  the 
evidence  of  your  hospitable  natures  yesterday,  and  repeated  continu- 
ally since  we  have  been  with  you,  affords  me  the  gratification  of  being 
able  to  say  that  I understand  the  term.  I desire  to  offer  a sentiment : 

The  City  of  Boston,  and  Boston  Notions.  (Applause.) 

The  next  regular  sentiment  was  — 

The  Memory  of  Washington , the  great  Sanitarian,  who  converted 
thirteen  complaining  colonies  into  States,  blessed  with  a good  constitu- 
tion. (Drank  standing  and  in  silence.) 


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Hon.  Edward  Everett  being  called  to  respond  to  the  sentiment,  was 
received  with  the  most  vociferous  cheering  as  he  rose,  and  when  the 
cheers  had  subsided,  he  said  : — 

Mr.  Mayor,  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Sanitary  Convention : I should  feel 
ashamed  to  respond  to  a toast  in  honor  of  that  peerless  name,  did  I not 
bear  in  mind  that  it  is  one  to  which  nothing  can  be  added  by  the  skill 
of  the  eulogist,  from  which  nothing  can  be  detracted  by  his  inability 
to  do  it  justice.  You  have  fittingly  commemorated  him  before  this 
company,  in  the  character  of  a great  Healer  of  the  State.  He  was 
called  in  when  the  body  politic  was  in  the  most  perilous  condition,  re- 
quiring for  its  treatment  the  utmost  courage  and  judgment.  The  State 
pharmacopoeia  afforded  no  anaesthetic  agent  to  soothe  the  pangs  of  the 
sufferer ; nothing  but  heroic  remedies  and  capital  operations  would 
serve,  and  the  alternative  was  kill  or  cure.  The  toast,  Mr.  Mayor,  that 
you  have  proposed  proclaims  the  auspicious  result.  You  have  also  re- 
minded our  friends  that  we  are  assembled  on  the  eve  of  the  anniver- 
sary of  that  memorable  conflict,  the  first  pitched  battle  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, which  has  immortalized  the  heights  of  our  sister  city  of  Charles- 
town. Before  this  company  it  is  proper  to  remember  that  the  hero  of 
that  day,  the  illustrious  Warren,  was,  not  figuratively,  but  in  deed  and 
in  fact,  a physician.  (Applause.) 

I have  much  regretted,  Mr.  Mayor,  that  other  engagements  have 
prevented  my  attending  the  meetings  of  the  Convention,  except  for  a 
short  time  this  morning,  for  I regard  them  as  closely  connected  with 
the  public  good.  The  aggregate  results  of  the  deliberations  of  such  a 
body,  well  designated  by  the  name  of  “State  Medicine”  or  “State 
hygiene”  of  which  His  Excellency  has  not  exaggerated  the  importance, 
are  closely  connected  with  health,  morals,  and  all  the  great  social  in- 
terests. It  has  been  said  that  “ eternal  vigilance  is  the  price  of 
liberty;”  it  is  not  less  certainly  the  price  of  health,  alike  in  town  and 
country  ; for  it  is,  in  my  opinion,  an  error,  though  a prevalent  one,  that 
the  laws  of  health  are  better  observed  in  village  than  in  city  life.  Al- 
though born  in  the  country,  and  much  attached  to  rural  life,  as  far  as 
my  observation  has  gone,  the  active  causes  of  disease,  which  it  is  in 
the  power  of  man  to  remove  or  mitigate,  are  by  no  means  unknown  in 
our  villages  and  hamlets.  The  necessities  of  commerce,  it  is  true, 
bring  together  greater  masses  of  people  in  limited  localities;  the 
growth  of  the  city  takes  place  gradually,  and  rarely  on  a judiciously 
prearranged  plan ; no  provision  is  made  at  the  outset  for  effective 
drainage  ; ventilation  is  out  of  the  question  in  noisome  alleys  and  blind 
courts ; land  becomes  immensely  valuable  ; till  avarice  triumphs  over 
conscience,  and  human  beings  are  packed  together,  not  so  much  to  live 
as  to  die.  This  subject  is  so  well  treated  in  Dr.  Viele’s  instructive  re- 
port to  your  Convention,  that  further  illustration  is  unnecessary.  For 
some  of  the  sanitary  evils  of  large  towns  there  is  no  remedy  but  in  the 
moral  sentiment  of  the  community ; but,  in  reference  to  moral  senti- 
ment, as  well  as  to  the  proper  province  of  legislation,  a body  like  this, 
holding  its  meetings  periodically,  in  different  sections  of  the  country, 
cannot  but  be  of  great  importance  in  diffusing  information  on  every  sub- 

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ject  connected  with  the  public  health,  and  dragging  notorious  abuses 
to  the  light  of  day. 

Your  investigations  on  the  subject  of  contagious  disease,  and  the 
appropriate  sphere  and  limits  of  quarantine  restrictions,  are  of  great 
public  interest.  The  times  are  indeed  gone  by  when  those  names  of 
terror, — leprosy,  plague,  sweating  sickness,  and  smallpox,  periodically 
spread  their  alarm  through  the  civilized  world,  demoralizing  society 
while  they  prevailed,  not  less  by  the  dismay  that  marched  in  their  van, 
than  by  the  destruction  of  life  which  followed  in  their  train.  Of  one 
of  these  dismal  maladies,  the  smallpox,  the  terror  still  lives  in  our 
recent  historical  traditions.  It  was  more  than  once  a chief  cause  of 
anxiety  in  the  American  Revolution.  For  a time  it  paralyzed  the  be- 
sieging  army  before  Boston  in  1775.  The  ablest  of  the  Massachusetts 
officers  after  the  death  of  Warren,  — and  like  him,  too,  a physician, — 
General  Thomas,  was  cut  off  by  smallpox  in  Canada,  in  the  spring  of 
1776.  Men  hesitated  between  the  remedy  and  the  disease.  Virginia, 
as  late  as  1769,  had  forbidden  the  practice  of  inoculation  by  law : and 
General  Washington,  writing  to  Governor  Patrick  Henry  on  the  sub- 
ject of  smallpox,  says,  “it  is  more  destructive  to  an  army  in  the  natu- 
ral way,  than  the  enemy’s  sword,  and  I shudder  whenever  I reflect 
upon  the  difficulties  of  keeping  it  out.”  Happily,  the  beloved  chieftain 
himself  was  safe.  On  a voyage  to  Barbadoes  in  his  youth,  he  had 
the  smallpox  in  the  natural  way,  so  that,  though  the  army  was  smitten, 
his  own  invaluable  life  was  not  exposed  to  the  infection. 

Smallpox,  by  the  immortal  discovery  of  Jenner,  has  been  robbed  of 
its  necessary  terrors ; for  though  vaccination  may  not  be  so  complete  a 
remedy  as  was  once  supposed,  the  graver  disease  has  ceased  to  be  a 
subject  of  popular  panic.  But  a single  generation  only  has  passed 
since  the  alarm  of  cholera.  Much  was  done  and  observed  at  that  time 
to  show  that  sanitary  measures  had  more  to  do  in  mitigating  the  rav- 
ages of  the  disease  than  medical  treatment.  How  much  anxiety  and 
distress  would  have  been  spared,  and,  what  is  still  more  important,  how 
much  predisposition  to  disease  been  avoided,  had  enlightened  sanitary 
views  of  the  nature  of  contagion  prevailed  at  that'  time  as  they  do 
now  ! My  honored  friend,  the  President  of  your  Convention  at  its 
present  session,  (Hr.  Bigelow,)  in  his  luminous  testimony  before  our 
legislative  committee  the  other  day,  on  the  subject  of  the  prevailing 
epidemic  among  the  cattle,  mentioned  some  things  within  his  own  ex- 
perience in  the  cholera  time,  which  he  thought  would  not  readily  find 
a parallel  in  the  dark  ages.  I think,  sir,  I can  go  a little  beyond  him, 
in  what  fell  within  my  own  experience  at  the  same  time.  It  was  in  the 
month  of  July,  1832.  Congress  adjourned  on  the  16th;  on  Friday, 
the  20th,  I arrived  with  my  family,  — three  adults  and  four  young 
children,  — at  Jersey  City,  then  a very  inconsiderable  place,  and  fur- 
nishing but  scanty  accommodations  for  strangers.  The  regular  commu- 
nication between  New  York  and  the  East  had  ceased ; no  boat  returned 
from  Providence  on  Saturday.  Several  members  of  Congress  with 
their  families,  were,  like  myself,  detained  at  Jersey  City,  and  as  the 
panic  was  rapidly  spreading,  and  threatened  to  cut  off  all  travel  by 
land  as  well  as  water,  the  state  of  things  was  of  no  little  concern  and 
gravity. 


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On  Saturday,  the  21st,  partly  to  while  away  the  weary  hours,  partly 
from  a desire  to  see  a great  city  under  visitation  of  a fearful  epidemic, 
I determined  to  cross  over  to  New  York.  The  ferry-boat  still  plied 
occasionally  in  the  course  of  the  day.  I had  read  the  account  of  the 
plague  of  Athens  by  Thucydides,  of  that  of  Florence  by  Boccaccio,  of 
that  of  London  by  De  Foe  ; — I was  desirous  of  seeing  our  own  great 
metropolis  under  similar  circumstances.  Concealing  from  my  family 
and  friends  the  cause  of  my  disappearance,  I crossed  the  ferry,  and 
walked  through  Cortlandt  Street,  far  up  Broadway.  There  was  a 
greater  life  and  movement  in  the  streets  than  I expected  to  find,  but  it 
was  still  a most  mournful  sight.  Business  seemed  almost  wholly  at  a 
stand ; more  than  half  the  population  had  gone  into  the  country ; many 
houses  and  shops  were  shut  up ; ready-made  coffins  were  exposed  at 
every  corner.  It  happened  to  be  the  day  of  the  greatest  mortality;  two 
hundred  and  twelve  persons  died  that  day.  The  cold  gripe  of  death 
was  upon  the  heart  of  the  great  city;  terror  aggravated  the  ravages  of 
disease ; and  all  the  energy,  the  resource,  the  vitality  of  the  mighty 
metropolis  quailed  for  a time  before  the  pestilence  that  walketh  in 
darkness,  and  the  destruction  that  wasteth  at  noon-day.  It  was  a sight 
never  to  be  forgotten. 

The  Franklin  came  back  from  Providence  on  Sunday,  with  orders 
not  to  return  till  Tuesday.  We  were  able,  through  the  kindness  of  a 
friend,  (C.  A.  Davis,  Esq.,)  in  the  direction  of  the  company,  to  cause 
her  to  be  dispatched  on  Monday.  We  had  a beautiful  night  on  the 
Sound ; the  exhilarating  air  of  the  sea  put  all  thought  of  infection  at 
defiance.  We  were  not,  however,  permitted  to  land  at  Newport,  and 
we  learned  that  the  same  prohibition  would  be  enforced  at  Providence. 
After  anxious  counsel,  we  entered  Taunton  river,  and  anchored  off 
Somerset,  the  frontier  town  of  Massachusetts  in  that  quarter.  Here 
we  procured  a visit  by  a respectable  physician  from  Fall  River,  who 
gave  us  a clean  bill  of  health.  Fortified  with  this,  we  obtained  the 
permission  of  the  selectmen  of  Somerset  to  land  within  the  limits  of 
that  township.  We  sent  to  Providence  for  carriages,  which  reached  us 
late  in  the  day;  and  we  then  landed,  drove  through  the  cornfields  of 
Somerset,  and  across  Seekonk  plains  to  Providence  turnpike.  It  was 
now  near  midnight,  and  we  had  been  without  refreshment  since  an 
early  breakfast.  The  landlord  of  the  public  house  at  which  we  stopped 
refused  to  admit  us,  “ because  we  had  come  from  the  boat.”  I 
attempted  to  get  in  at  the  window,  in  the  hopes  of  finding  a cup  of 
milk  for  the  little  ones,  but  he  set  a mastiff  upon  me.  We  were  com- 
pelled to  drive  on,  unrefreshed,  to  Attleborough.  There,  at  a house 
kept  by  Mr.  Perkins,  we  stopped.  As  soon  as  we  had  aroused  the 
inmates,  and  made  known  our  sad  plight,  the  door  was  thrown  wide 
open ; the  best  the  house  afforded  was  set  before  us ; a comfortable 
cup  of  tea  and  good  beds  made  us  forget  the  hard  experience  of  the 
day ; and  in  the  morning,  the  bill  for  my  whole  party,  three  adults  and 
four  children,  was,  if  I remember  rightly,  a dollar  and  a-quarter  ! Mr. 
Mayor,  I do  not  know  whether  my  humble  name  will  be  remembered 
long  after  I am  gone ; but,  if  it  is,  I wish  the  name  of  that  good 
Samaritan  may  be  remembered  with  it.  (Applause.)  I recollect  the 


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name  of  the  other  man  who  had  the  mastiff,  but  I will  not  tell  it.  I 
dare  say  he  acted  up  to  his  light.  His  inhospitality  (as  Lord  Bacon 
said  of  taking  bribes)  was.  vitium  sevi  non  hominis  ; the  fault,  not  of 
the  individual,  but  of  the  times.  He  wanted  to  protect  his  children, 
perhaps,  from  what  he  thought  the  danger  of  contagion,  as  I wished  to 
get  a cup  of  milk  for  mine.  We  drove  on,  refreshed  and  cheerful,  to 
Polly’s,  at  Walpole,  one  of  those  admirable  New-England  country 
taverns,  of  which  only  the  memory  is  left,  and  there  we  got  an  excel- 
lent breakfast,  although  “ the  neighbors  complained”  of  our  worthy 
landlord  u for  admitting  people  who  had  come  from  the  boat.” 

I have  told  you,  sir,  this  rather  long  story  to  show  how  important 
it  is  to  the  very  existence  of  the  social  system,  which  melts  away  under 
the  influence  of  panic,  that  enlightened  views  on  subjects  of  this  kind 
should  prevail.  I have  no  doubt  that  the  periodical  meetings  of  this 
Convention  will  do  much  to  propagate  them  throughout  the  country. 
Nor  will  this  be  their  only  beneficial  effect.  There  is  a health  of  the 
body  politic  as  well  as  of  the  body  natural.  It  requires  for  its  pre- 
servation, harmony  and  kind  feeling  among  the  members  of  the  great 
confederate  system.  Who  can  doubt  that  this  desirable  state  of  things 
will  be  greatly  promoted ; while  from  year  to  year  three  hundred  of 
the  most  distinguished  and  patriotic  members  of  the  faculty  are  called 
in  consultation,  from  the  remotest  corners  of  the  republic,  to  lend  their 
powerful  and  kindly  influence  in  strengthening  the  bonds  of  union. 
(Applause.) 

During  Mr.  Everett’s  remarks,  the  delegates  designing  to  take  the 
cars,  left  the  hall  amid  the  cheers  of  the  company,  which  they 
returned. 

The  next  sentiment  was — 

The  Monumental  City — Her  repeated  hospitality  has  become  an 
established  fact  with  Bostonians,  through  which  she  has  erected  a 
monument  in  their  minds  more  pleasing  than  those  which  record  her 
fame.  We  cheerfully  award  due  praise  to  both,  and  welcome  her 
representative  to  our  board  in  the  “ loving  cup.” 

Dr.  Judson  Oilman,  of  Baltimore,  who  was  just  leaving  the  hall 
to  take  the  cars,  on  hearing  the  sentiment  announced,  paused  a moment 
to  respond.  He  said  : — 

Mr.  Mayor:  I was  just  leaving  to  take  the  train  of  cars ; but  I 
wish  to  express  my  gratitude  and  thanks  for  the  kind  mention  you 
have  made  of  our  Monumental  City.  We  are  allied  to  Boston  more 
closely  than  to  any  other  northern  city.  We  feel  at  home  here,  sir. 
Most  of  our  merchants,  and  professional  men  of  eminence  among  us,  are 
men  of  the  East,  and  men  from  Massachusetts.  We  feel  allied  to  you,  sir, 
by  other  associations,  by  revolutionary  memories.  I am  reminded  that 
here  was  made  the  cradle  of  liberty, — and  here  it  remains  to-day, 
thank  God ; and  may  there  never  be  rocked  within  it,  any  but  the 
offspring  of  liberty  and  union.  (Great  cheering.)  But,  sir,  the 
lullaby — the  world-renowned  lullaby,  to  quiet  our  infant  republic,  by 
which  it  has  grown  and  increased  to  early  manhood — was  composed  by 
a Baltimorean.  That  lullaby  is,  “ The  Star-Spangled  Banner.” 


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But,  sir,  I will  not  detain  you  or  myself  by  any  further  remarks  ; 
but,  wishing  you  all  farewell,  I bid  you  good-night.  (Cheers  greeted 
the  retiring  guest.) 

The  next  sentiment  was — 

Memphis — Though  not  boasting  of  the  magnificence  that  made  her 
namesake  famous  in  classical  history,  we  cotton  to  her  with  a sisterly 
regard,  and  prize  her  far  more  than  a thousand  cities  with  but  the 
glory  of  past  deeds  to  commend  them. 

Dr.  C.  B.  Guthrie,  of  Memphis,  responded  in  substance  as  fol- 
lows : — 

Mr.  President,  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Convention:  We  heard  yes- 
terday (some  of  us  at  least,  and  it  was  alluded  to  again  to-day)  of 
that  man  of  opportunity.  I am  most  happy  in  being  another  of  those 
men  of  opportunity.  Chancing  to  be  deputed  by  that  young  giant  on 
the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  by  a vote  of  the  Common  Council,  to  re- 
present her  in  this  Convention,  I return  to  you,  in  the  name  of  the 
City  of  Memphis,  the  most  cordial  thanks  of  my  heart,  that  this  op- 
portunity has  been  given  to  me  to  express  to  the  City  of  Boston  and 
to  these  gentlemen  of  the  Convention  from  other  cities  and  sections  of 
the  United  States,  my  heartfelt  thanks  that  Memphis  has  the  honor  of 
being  associated  in  this  great  work  of  sanitary  reform. 

Gentlemen,  if  Boston  “ Cottons”  to  Memphis,  how  much  more  does 
Memphis  “ Cottonaid”  to  Boston  in  the  matter  of  commerce  ? The 
population  of  Memphis  has  quadrupled  in  ten  years.  If  a census 
were  now  taken  there  would  be  found  45,000  inhabitants.  Ten  years 
ago  she  shipped  12,000  bales  of  cotton ; now  she  sends  off  400,000 
bales.  She  sends  to  the  East  150,000  bales  this  year  of  that  material, 
to  be  worked  up  into  goods  and  yarns ; therefore,  with  great  propriety 
may  I say,  that  she  cottonaids  to  Boston  and  New  England.  But  the 
ties  which  bind  us  together  are  other  than  the  ties  of  commerce ; they 
are  the  ties  of  brotherhood,  ties  that  know  no  east,  no  west,  no  north, 
and  no  south.  (Great  applause.) 

In  the  time  of  distress,  in  the  time  that  moved  the  hearts  of  the 
philanthropic  and  good  people  of  every  section,  when  Norfolk  sent 
forth  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,  and  when  the  lightning  flashed  the 
cry  for  help,  when  her  people  were  decimated,  and  her  city  was  pros- 
trated under  the  hand  of  that  great  pestilence,  who  came  to  the  res- 
cue ? Bid  New  York,  or  Philadelphia,  or  Baltimore,  or  Boston,  in- 
quire where  Norfolk  was  ? Was  there  any  sectional  question  as  to 
whence  came  the  cry  for  help  ? Thank  God,  no.  From  all  these 
cities  came  the  ready  hand  and  the  material  aid,  made  more  acceptable 
by  the  personal  assistance  of  nurses  and  medical  men. 

When  New  Orleans  sent  up  the  cry  of  distress  and  called  for  help, 
with  the  same  ready  hand  the  same  tangible  help  was  sent  in  flowing 
streams,  till  the  reply  came  back  that  there  was  enough.  Thus  we  see 
there  are  ties  that  bind  us  closely  as  brother  is  bound  to  brother. 
(Applause:)  In  the  name  of  the  South,  in  the  name  of  those  two 
cities,  in  the  name  of  the  Union,  I claim  that  we  are  one  in  heart,  one 


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in  sentiment,  and  one  in  feeling ; and  I appeal  to  this  evening’s  enter- 
tainment, and  the  work  in  which  we  are  engaged,  if  I am  not  right. 
(Applause.) 

But,  gentlemen,  besides  these  ties,  there  are  the  ties  of  commerce 
to  which  I have  alluded,  and  I am  most  happy  to  represent  that  purely 
commercial  town  lying  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi.  We  are  bound 
by  our  commerce  to  New  England.  We  have  sent  150,000  arguments, 
worth  $50  apiece,  this  season,  to  prove  that  the  ties  of  commerce  are 
not  to  be  dissevered  by  any  minor  and  trifling  questions.  (Applause.) 
While  you  receive  from  that  section  of  the  world  150,000  arguments 
of  that  kind,  we  get  in  return,  from  every  town  and  village  from  the 
Kennebec  to  the  Hudson,  missionary  tracts,  in  the  shape  of  hoes,  axes, 
and  curry-combs,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing,  that  go  broadcast  through- 
our  southern  country,  preaching  peace  and  good-will  and  eternal 
brotherhood  to  every  man  in  that  part  of  the  Union.  Gentlemen,  may 
the  hand  be  palsied,  and  may  the  back  be  well  curried,  that  ever  seeks 
to  break  up  the  supply.  (Applause.) 

When  I came  into  the  hall,  as  I passed  to  my  seat,  I chanced  to 
look  upon  the  table,  and  I saw  upon  the  right  and  left  that  flag  which 
floats  alike  over  us  all,  bearing  upon  the  same  ground  the  names  of 
New  York,  Ohio,  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and  Tennessee,  proclaim- 
ing that  we  all  live  under  the  same  banner,  and  by  it  we  shall  stand, 
or  under  it  we  shall  fall.  (Applause.)  And  by  another  happy  coin- 
cidence, accidental  of  course,  I found  placed  in  front  of  me  the  statue 
of  that  man  just  now  so  eloquently  alluded  to  by  the  gentleman  from 
Massachusetts,  Mr.  Everett,  at  whose  shrine  we  all  bow ; and  it  occur- 
red to  me,  I will  carry  back  to  the  South  these  emblems,  and  say  that 
I brought  them  from  Boston  in  Massachusetts,  the  cradle  of  liberty, 
where  that  flag  was  first  unfurled,  and  where  the  voice  of  Washington, 
the  statesman  and  patriot,  was  so  often  heard ; and  I will  plant  them 
in  the  municipal  hall  of  Memphis,  praying  that  no  hand  may  ever 
destroy  them  or  the  harmony  that  exists  between  the  States  they  pro- 
tect. (Great  applause.) 

Here  is  the  health  of  the  body  politic  (holding  up  the  flag);  this  is 
no  yellow  flag  of  quarantine,  but  the  red  flag  of  health  ; and,  when  I 
thus  carry  it  back  to  that  young  giant,  I shall  say  to  them,  as  I say  to 
you,  At  this  shrine  will  we  and  our  children  worship,  under  this  flag 
will  we  and  our  children  live,  and  no  fratricidal  hand  shall  ever 
destroy  it,  or  that  union  it  symbolizes,  and  under  whose  stars  and 
stripes  we  have  enjoyed  this  specimen  of  Boston  hospitality,  the 
memory  of  which  shall  be  immortal.  (Vociferous  applause.) 

The  next  sentiment  was,  — 

Science , Poetry , and  Medicine  — Never  till  now  united  in  one 
person  since  the  days  of  the  god  Apollo. 

Hr.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  being  called  up  by  the  last 
sentiment,  said : — 

I blush,  Mr.  President,  I blush  to  raise  my  voice  in  an  appeal  to 
the  intellect  of  an  assembly  like  this  after  words  that  have  gone  to 
the  heart  of  every  American  present.  (Applause.) 


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I mean  to  speak  but  two  strictly  measured  sentences  before  I ven- 
ture to  read  the  few  words  I brought  with  me.  First,  to  my  friend, 
the  Governor,  whom  I am  always  happy  to  meet,  to  whom  I am  always 
proud  to  listen,  and  who  has  paid  me  a compliment  which  might, 
perhaps,  be  misconstrued  as  implying  relations  which  do  not  exist  be- 
tween myself  and  a certain  mode  of  practice.  I understand  the  precious, 
the  invaluable  life  of  my  friend,  the  Governor,  is  in  the  hands  of  the 
homceopathists.  (Laughter.)  If  any  words  of  mine  have  led  any 
person  to  think  that  I am  one  of  the  Governor’s  Aids  in  that  capacity, 
I beg  leave  now  and  here  respectfully  to  resign  my  imaginary  position. 
(Great  laughter.) 

Secondly,  to  my  friends  and  brothers  of  the  profession,  and  all  before 
whom  I have  the  honor  now  to  speak.  I had  written  for  your  benefit  a 
good  baker’s  dozen  of  verses ; but,  having  found  that  the  daily  press 
of  this  country  has  the  power  of  supplying  all  that  a speaker  leaves 
out,  — and  something  more,  — I beg  leave  to  read  seven  of  these  thir- 
teen verses.  (Voices,  Let  us  have  them  all.) 

Dr.  Holmes  excused  himself  from  complying  with  this  request, 
and  read  seven  of  the  following  verses,  which  were  received  with  great 
favor. 


THE  POEM. 


What  makes  the  Healing  Art  divine? 

The  bitter  drug  we  buy  and  sell,  — 

The  brands  that  scorch,  the  blades  that  shine, 
The  scars  we  leave,  the  “cures ” we  tell? 

Are  these  thy  glories,  holiest  Art,  — 

The  trophies  that  adorn  thee  best,  — 

Or  but  thy  triumph’s  meanest  part, 

Where  mortal  weakness  stands  confessed? 

We  take  the  arms  that  Heaven  supplies 
For  Life’s  long  battle  with  Disease, 

Taught  by  our  various  need  to  prize 
Our  frailest  weapons,  even  these. 

But  ah!  when  Science  drops  her  shield  — 

Its  peaceful  shelter  proved  in  vain  — 

And  bares  her  snow-white  arm  to  wield 
The  sad,  stern  ministry  of  pain ; 

When,  shuddering  o’er  the  fount  of  life, 

She  folds  her  heaven-anointed  wings 
To  lift  unmoved  the  glittering  knife 
That  searches  all  its  crimson  springs ; 

When,  faithful  to  her  ancient  lore, 

She  thrusts  aside  her  fragrant  balm 
For  blistering  juice,  or  cankering  ore, 

And  tames  them  till  they  cure  or  calm; 

When  in  her  gracious  hand  are  seen 
The  dregs  and  scum  of  earth  and  seas, — 
Her  kindness  counting  all  things  clean 
That  lend  the  sighing  sufferer  ease; 

Though  on  the  field  that  Death  has  won 
She  saves  some  stragglers  in  retreat, 

These  single  acts  of  mercy  done 
Are  but  confessions  of  defeat. 


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What  though  our  tempered  poisons  save 
Some  wrecks  of  life  from  aches  and  ails, 

Those  grand  specifics  Nature  gave 

Were  never  poised  by  weights  and  scales! 

God  lent  his  creatures  light  and  air, 

And  waters  open  to  the  skies; 

Man  locks  him  in  a stifling  lair, 

And  wonders  why  his  brother  dies! 

In  vain  our  pitying  tears  are  shed, 

In  vain  we  rear  the  sheltering  pile 

Where  Art  weeds  out  from  bed  to  bed, 

The  plagues  we  planted  by  the  mile! 

Be  that  the  glory  of  the  past; 

With  these  our  sacred  toils  begin,  — 

So  flies  in  tatters  from  its  mast 
The  yellow  flag  of  sloth  and  sin, 

And  lo!  the  starry  folds  reveal 
The  blazoned  truth  we  hold  so  dear, 

Jo  guard  is  better  than  to  heal, — 

The  shield  is  nobler  than  the  spear! 

4 

Gov.  Banks  retired  at  this  time,  and  was  greeted  with  cheers  as  he 
left  the  hall. 

The  next  sentiment  was — 

“ State  Medicine  We  greet  with  pleasure  this  new  offspring  of 
Sanitary  Science,  in  the  person  of  its  distinguished  accoucheur,  Dr. 
John  Ordronaux. 

To  this  sentiment  Dr.  John  Ordronaux,  of  New  York,  responded 
as  follows : — 

Mr.  Mayor : In  the  remarks  which  have  been  made  by  the  distin- 
guished gentlemen  preceding  me,  I find  a strong  analogy  drawn  between 
myself,  as  the  author  of  the  resolution  on  State  Medicine,  and  that 
insignificant  insect,  the  white  ant,  which  upheaves  the  tropical  soil  of 
Africa  in  the  form  of  a nondescript  tumulus.  The  main  point  of 
wonder  there  is,  that  so  small  an  insect  should  be  capable  of  making 
such  a terrestrial  commotion  ; and  yet,  after  all,  the  work  itself  enchains 
us  much  more  than  the  architect;  and  while  the  sand-hill,  with  its 
geometrically  constructed  galleries  and  dormitories,  its  granaries  and 
nurseries,  becomes  the  cynosure  of  scientific  eyes,  the  poor,  wee  thing, 
which  was  its  artificer,  is  looked  upon  only  as  cumbering  the  earth 
with  its  presence. 

I am  happy,  therefore,  to  be  recognized  by  you,  sir,  even  as  an 
humble  insect  in  that  busy  sanitary  hive,  the  honey  of  whose  labors 
will  in  time  become,  let  us  hope,  the  great  public  detergent  of  all  civic 
foulness  in  the  land.  And  if  it  has  been  my  misfortune  — not  pos- 
sessing the  gift  of  an  inspired  tongue,  nor  the  curiosa  fellcitas  of 
perfected  oratory  — to  be  obscure  in  the  language  of  my  advocacy,  and 
in  return  to  be  misapprehended  in  the  spirit  of  my  intentions,  I yet 
believe  that  an  instinctive  sense  of  the  fitness  of  this  resolution  to 
ulterior  purposes  of  expansion  in  sanitary  reform,  as  contemplated  by 
a future  permanent  organization  of  our  Convention,  must  have  swayed 
the  minds  of  all  those  distinguished  colleagues  who  gave  it  their 
countenance  and  support.  Certainly,  since  the  very  appropriate  and 
expositive  remarks  made  by  yourself,  Mr.  Mayor,  in  your  address  of 
welcome  to  this  festive  board,  and  seconded  by  the  learned  and  logical 


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indorsements  of  His  Excellency  the  Governor,  the  honored  and  vener- 
able President  of  our  Convention,  and  by  him  whose  Hortensian  elo- 
quence, exhausting  and  adorning  whatever  it  touches,  speaks  always 
in  the  rhythmic  cadences  of  a language  u whose  law  is  heavenly  beauty, 
and  whose  breath  enrapturing  music,” — certainly,  after  these  many 
spontaneous  offerings  to  the  truth  of  the  dogma  of  State  Medicine,  I 
am  better  convinced  than  ever,  that  it  has  a missionary  labor  to  per- 
form in  fields  of  illimitable  extent,  where  gleaners  have  always  been 
few,  and  harvests  have  always  been  plenty.  Not  to  one  State  or  to 
one  country, — not  to  one  clime  or  to  one  age,  — not  to  one  race  or 
civilization,  is  it  fitted  to  dispense  its  blessings  of  moral  and  physical 
health ; but  everywhere, — at  all  times,  and  under  all  circumstances,  — 
beneath  the  Poles,  and  under  the  Tropics,  — on  firm  continents,  — on 
sea-girt  isles,  and  on  the  trackless  ocean,  — wherever  social  man  tarries 
or  inhabits,  it  should,  like  another  universal  law,  found  its  altars, 
proclaim  its  canons,  and  ordain  its  priesthood.  And,  believing  this,  I 
shall  be  much  mistaken  if  the  action  taken  by  the  Convention  to-day 
will  not  produce  some’  significant  effects  upon  the  future  of  State  legis- 
lation, Bby  introducing  measures  into  the  public  councils  which  will 
provide,  as  has  already  been  done  in  Massachusetts,  for  the  enforce- 
ment of  those  primordial  laws  designed  by  nature  for  the  physical 
well-being  of  man.  When  we  shall  have  fully  legislated  for  the  public 
health,  it  will  then  be  time  enough  to  resume  that  process  of  statutory 
incubation  which  annually  produces  thirty-two  volumes  of  laws  for  the 
special  promotion  of  litigation. 

I cannot  believe  that  the  occasion  requires  at  my  hands  any  exposi- 
tion either  of  the,  history  or  the  importance  of  State  Medicine.  Its 
history  all  present  are  surely  familiar  with ; its  importance  all  the  world, 
by  universal  accord,  admits.  We  know  it  is  not  the  bantling  of  a day 
or  of  a century.  It  does  not  belong  to  us, — it  is  not  our  discovery. 
Rich  as  is  the  nineteenth  century  in  arts,  in  letters,  in  science, — 
much  as  it  has  done  in  navigation,  in  commerce,  in  agriculture,  in 
manufactures,  in  physics  and  the  exact  sciences,  it  cannot,  neverthe- 
less, claim  sanitary  science  as  among  its  offspring.  Far  from  it.  It 
is  older  than  our  century,  — older  than  our  Christian  era,  — a part,  in 
fact,  of  that  canonical  dispensation  which  sprang  from  the  inspired 
intellect  of  the  Jewish  lawgiver.  And  it  is  a significant  illustration, 
in  this  connection,  that  some  of  the  proudest  monuments  of  antiquity 
which  have  descended  to  us,  have  been  those  foremost  temples  of  all 
sanitary  science,  — public  baths  and  public  wells.  We  may  judge  also  or 
the  high  estimation  in  which  the  former  were  held,  when  we  remember 
that  Art  laid  its  treasures  in  their  lap,  and  enshrined  its  most  precious 
gems  within  their  precincts.  The  marble  Laocoon,  which  was  found 
in  the  baths  of  Titus,  and  the  Farnese  Hercules  in  those  of  Cara^alla, 
attest  the  importance  which  was  attached  to  these  halls  of  sanitary 
refreshment.  While  the  reservoirs  of  Solomon,  the  cisterns  of  Per- 
sepolis,  and  the  Aqua  Claudia  of  Nero,  all  bear  witness  to  the  skill 
and  grandeur  of  their  original  construction.  In  the  presence  of  the 
peerless  aqueducts  and  baths  of  the  ancient  heathen  world,  modern 
centuries  may  well  stand  dumb;  and  Science,  whatever  triumphs  she 
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may  continue  to  achieve,  will  yet  do  nothing  more,  can  yet  do  nothing 
greater  than  this,  for  the  public  health  of  cities. 

But  sanitary  science,  aside  from  its  practical  hearings  upon  physical 
life,  has,  at  least  during  the  recent  session  of  this  Convention,  shown 
us  that  it  possesses  some  cementing  qualities  of  a high  order.  Gath- 
ered as  we  are  here,  from  all  portions  of  the  Union,  — a parliament  of 
physicians,  lawyers,  magistrates,  clergymen,  and  merchants,  — it  was 
one  of  the  pleasantest  features  of  all,  to  contemplate  the  spirit  of  national 
concord  and  unbroken  unity  in  which  our  deliberations  were  performed. 
I know  that  this  was  to  be  expected  from  the  very  nature  of  the  cause 
which  we  met  to  advance.  But  expectations  are  not  always  realized, 
particularly  so,  where  they  rest  upon  the  chances  of  an  agreement 
between  hundreds  of  minds,  differently  constituted,  and  seeing  with  a 
different  mental  vision.  In  the  present  instance,  sir,  whether  from  the 
Union-loving  atmosphere  in  which  we  hold  our  councils,  or  some  spe- 
cial mysterious  influence  from  on  high,  we  were  to  each  other  brothers 
only ; and  now,  on  the  eve  of  parting,  I will  venture  to  say,  that  there 
is  not  a heart  in  this  whole  assemblage  which  does  not  feel  a pang  of 
regret,  or  wish  that  the  bitter  moment  could  be  avoided. 

I believe  that  an  excellent  reason  for  the  public  sympathy  which 
has  accompanied  us  in  our  labors  is  to  be  found  in  the  fact  that  we 
are  not  reformers,  in  the  more  odious  sense  of  officious  intermeddling, 
which  that  term  so  often  conveys.  We  are  not  here  as  political 
reformers,  preaching  the  time-serving  dogmas  of  expediency.  We 
are  not  here  as  social  reformers,  to  reform  either  the  spirit  or  the 
organization  of  human  society,  by  unsexing  woman  or  communizing 
the  family  circle.  We  are  not  here  to  foster  or  to, favor  the  specula- 
tions of  any  sect  of  philosophers  or  religionists.  We  are  neither 
Aristotelians  nor  Platonists ; neither  followers  of  Augustine,  nor  of 
Athanasius.  We  are  here  to  take  men  as  we  find  them  now,  and  not 
as  they  would  have  been  had  they  never  fallen.  Our  dealings  are  with 
society  as  it  is ) and  the  duty  we  undertake  is,  to  pluck  physical  evils 
that  are  preventable,  out  of  the  bosom  of  communities,  and,  wherever 
possible,  to  turn  the  streams  of  sanitary  reform  and  of  health  through 
the  Augean  Stables  of  civic  filth.  (Applause.)  By  such  means  do 
we  hope  to  temper  the  anguish  of  honest  poverty,  — to  diminish  the 
temptations  to  crime,  and  to  pave  and  smooth  down  the  pathway  of 
the  city  missionary  and  colporter,  who  will  find  their  labors  all  the 
more  successful  for  our  having  gone  before. 

Mr.  Mayor,  in  your  very  chaste  and  eloquent  salutatory  at  this 
board,  you  were  pleased  to  say  that  Boston  would  be  the  better  for  our 
visit.  This  is  saying  too  much.  Admit  even  the  mutuality  of  pleas- 
ure which  these  three  days  of  good-fellowship  have  imparted  to  both 
hosts  and  guests,  and  we  are  still  left  hopelessly  in  your  debt,  — a debt, 
too,  from  which  no  court  of  insolvency  can  absolve  us.  I thought  I 
knew  something  of  Boston,  for  no  man  can  be  a stranger  here  who  has 
ever  drawn  sustenance  from  the  overflowing  bosom  of  mother  Harvard. 
In  my  student  days,  I have  often  been  the  recipient  of  the  generous 
hospitality  of  your  fellow-citizens.  But  I confess,  sir,  that,  in  the 
present  instance,  Boston  has  altogether  outdone  herself  in  warmth  of 


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clieer ; for,  not  content  with  hanging  the  latch-string  outside  the  door, 
her  citizens  have  taken  the  doors  off  the  hinges,  and  the  shutters  off 
the  windows,  and  written  over  both,  in  largest  letters,  Welcome. 

No  wonder  is  it,  therefore,  that  many  of  us,  coming  here  to  refresh 
our  patriotism  by  a visit  to  those  scenes  of  revolutionary  interest 
where  the  earliest  martyrs  fell,  and  to  those  shrines  of  civil  liberty 
where  our  national  life  was  first  cradled,  should  be  lost  in  admiration 
of  all  we  have  seen,  and  overcome  with  gratitude  for  all  of  kindness 
we  have  received.  No  wonder  is  it,  sir,  that,  finding  ourselves  in  the 
midst  of  this  galaxy  of  great  names,  poets,  orators,  statesmen,  and 
philosophers,  we  should  feel  that  the  old  Athenian  “ mother  of  arts 
and  eloquence  ” had  been  fully  rivalled  by  her  young  American  name- 
sake. Go  where  we  may, — look  where  we  please,  — measure,  weigh, 
and  consider  what  we  will,  whether  in  her  outer  life  of  public  action, 
or  her  inner  life  of  private  conduct,  and  it  is  everywhere  written  that 
perfect  excellence  is  the  presiding  genius  of  Boston.  In  arts,  in  science, 
in  letters,  in  municipal  government,  and  in  the  humanitarian  graces 
of  philanthropy  and  Christian  works,  she  takes  deserved  precedence  of 
all  her  sister  cities.  Her  public  monuments,  her  ancestral  reverence, 
her  careful  preservation  and  culture  of  all  that  is  national  and  American, 
— ay,  the  very  house-walls  do  proclaim  that  living  patriotism  is  both  the 
care  and  the  creed  of  her  daily  life.  Life  is  well  worth  living  for,  to 
visit  such  scenes  as  these,  and  to  spend  an  hour  in  such  companionship 
as  this ; and  for  one,  I shall  again  return  home,  Mr.  Mayor,  each  time 
better  convinced  than  before,  that  all  other  places  are  but  intellectual 
Mantuas  when  compared  to  this  intellectual  Home ; for,  to  my  eyes, 
in  this  respect,  — 

“ All  other  towns,  compared  with  her,  appear 
Like  shrubs,  when  lofty  cypresses  are  near.” 

The  next  sentiment  was  — 

Brooldyn — Associated  like  her  sister  city,  New  York,  in  our  respect 
and  love,  her  citizens  we  gladly  welcome  as  the  true  representatives  of 
her  growth  and  prosperity. 

Dr.  C.  C.  Savage,  of  Brooklyn,  in  the  absence  of  Mayor  Powell, 
who  had  been  called  home,  responded  to  this  sentiment  briefly.  He 
felt  that  Brooklyn  had  been  truly  honored  in  the  Convention.  You 
have  echoed  the  sound  of  that  bell  (Dr.  Bell,  of  Brooklyn)  in  this 
Convention,  by  adopting  the  report  on  External  Hygiene,  and  its 
sentiments  will  go  throughout  our  land,  and  I trust  to  other  lands,  and 
that  an  influence  will  result  from  it  to  ameliorate  the  laws  of  quaran- 
tine to  such  a degree  as  to  show  that  man  is  a progressive  being  in 
civilization,  and  that  savageism  shall  no  longer  reign.  We  should 
have  been  most  happy  to  meet  the  Convention  in  Brooklyn  the  coming 
year ) but  waiving  our  claim , I trust  that  you  will  be  properly  welcomed 
in  the  Queen  City  of  the  West. 

Mr.  Everett  retired  from  the  hall  at  this  time,  and  was  greeted 
with  three  cheers. 

The  next  sentiment  was  — 


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The  Cause  of  Sanitary  Reform — Closely  allied  to  tlie  commercial  in- 
terests of  the  country. 

Gen.  Prosper  M.  Wetmore,  a representative  of  the  New  York 
Chamber  of  Commerce  in  the  Convention,  responded,  being  obliged  to 
speak  under  the  embarrassment  of  a hoarseness  quite  severe. 

He  said  : Unfitted  as  I am,  sir,  for  the  duty,  by  severe  indisposition 
which  must  be  too  apparent  to  the  company,  yet  I cannot  refrain  from 
the  attempt  to  express  my  thanks  to  Your  Honor,  for  the  compliment 
implied  in  the  invitation  to  speak  to  this  sentiment.  And  while  offer- 
ing you  these,  my  cordial  acknowledgments  of  your  courtesy,  I will 
venture  to  trespass  a moment  on  your  indulgence. 

As  you  have  alluded  to  my  connection  with  the  commerce  of  New 
York,  I will  avail  myself  of  the  opportunity  to  express  my  sense  of  the 
honor  conferred'on  me  as  bearer  of  credentials  from  the  most  ancient  in- 
stitution connected  with  the  objects  of  commerce  in  our  country;  an  in- 
stitution whose  history  goes  back  far  into  the  past,  many  years  anterior  to 
the  Revolution.  It  is  a source  of  grateful  pride  to  me  to  recall  in  this 
presence,  the  fact  that  to  the  merchants  of  the  city  of  New  York  is  due 
the  credit  of  having  instituted  the  first  great  movement  which  re- 
sulted in  the  adoption  of  those  measures  which  led  to  the  establish- 
ment of  our  national  independence.  The  first  regularly  organized 
meeting  of  which  there  is  any  record  extant,  was  held  by  the  mer- 
chants of  the  city  of  New  York,  at  which  they  adopted  resolutions  of 
rigid  non-intercourse  with  the  parent  country,  so  long  as  the  Stamp 
Act  remained  in  existence,  and  from  that  body  went  forth  four  dele- 
gates of  the  six  from  the  State  of  New  York,  to  the  first  Congress  called 
to  consider  the  condition  of  the  confederacy.  I will  not  enlarge  upon 
this  topic,  but  I could  not  omit  to  notice  it  while  breathing  an  atmos- 
phere filled  with  the  historical  associations  of  days  gone  by. 

Mr.  President,  while  recurring  to  these  incidents  that  give  us  an  in- 
terest in  the  past,  I trust  I may  be  permitted  to  dwell  briefly  on  the 
great  pleasure  I have  derived  from  visiting  and  admiring  a few  of  the 
well-preserved  antiquities  of  Boston.  As  the  evidences  of  age  increase 
in  my  own  person,  I find  that  my  love  of  antiquity  daily  grows  stronger 
and  stronger.  In  approaching  your  city  by  the  Old  Colony  Road  two 
days  ago,  it  seemed  to  me  that  I was  entering  another  Venice,  sur- 
rounded as  you  are  by  such  an  opulence  of  waters.  My  thoughts  in- 
voluntarily turned  to  what  I had  read  of  that  beautiful  city  seated  on 
the  classic  Italian  sea,  and  I was  charmed  with  the  prospect  before  and 
all  around  me  ; but  when  I noticed  that,  differing  from  the  dwellers  in 
that  ancient  Commonwealth,  (now,  alas,  lying  prostrate  beneath  the  foot 
of  despotism,)  you  were  gathering  up  the  waters,  and  casting  them  aside, 
to  extend  the  suburbs  of  your  fast-increasing  city,  I thought  how  benefi- 
cently you  were  carrying  out  the  great  enterprises  of  commerce  and  the 
mission  of  civilization.  How  much  better,  I thought,  that  a young  Bos- 
ton should  spring  up,  like  the  fabled  goddess,  full-grown  from  the  seas, 
rather  than  that  those  beautiful  waters  should  become  stagnant  and  serve 
only  to  bear  the  luxurious  gondolas  of  an  enervated  people.  Every  man, 
it  seems  to  me,  sir,  who  comes  to  Boston,  comes  to  see  something  that  is 


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141 


old,  something  that  has  a history.  I love  to  look  upon  these  relics  of 
the  past,  and  my  first  steps  on  my  arrival  you  may  be  sure  were  turned 
to  Boston  Common,  and  to  that  noble  old  Mansion,  which,  with  its  time- 
defying  aspect,  looks  down  upon  the  green  slopes  and  broad  aisles,  made 
dim  by  the  overarched  and  interlacing  boughs  of  ancient  trees.  And  I 
stood  by  the  side  of  that  venerable  Elm,  preserved  with  a sacred  care  by 
the  good  taste  and  fidelity  of  the  citizens  of  Boston.  While  I stood  in 
silent  awe  within  its  shade,  I could  almost  imagine  that  I saw  passing 
beneath  its  wide-spreading  branches  the  soldiers  of  the  Continental  line 
and  the  train  bands  of  Boston,  flushed  with  the  triumphs  of  the  Charles- 
town hills  and  Dorchester  heights,  following  with  elastic  tread  the 
footsteps  of  the  sullen  receding  foe,  and  keeping  time  to  the  stirring 
music  of  their  own  high  thoughts.  (Great  applause.) 

I have  stood  also  in  Faneuil  Hall,  and  there  again  I could  not  but 
admire  and  applaud  the  same  good  taste  and  fidelity  of  the  citizens  of 
Boston  in  preserving  intact  that  time-honored  edifice,  whose  walls  have 
reverberated  with  the  eloquence  of  Otis  and  Adams  in  former  times, 
and  with  that  of  Webster  and  Everett  in  the  present.  (Applause.) 

And,  sir,  I have  ascended  the  heights  of  that  granite  column  from 
which  we  are  enabled  to  look  down  upon  the  sacred  soil  saturated  with 
the  blood  of  Warren,  and  which  marks  a spot  of  earth  whose  glory  shall 
outlive  all  memorials.  My  view  extended  through  the  space  opened 
to  me  within  which  I could  see  Cambridge  and  the  classic  groves  of 
Harvard.  Your  unintermitted  courtesies,  give  me  leave  to  say,  sir, 
have  not  as  yet  permitted  me  to  set  my  feet  within  the  bounds  of  that 
growing  city  • but  I know  that  there  stands  the  mansion  doubly 
honored,  in  the  past  and  in  the  present,  where  Washington  once 
made  his  home,  and  which,  therefore,  shares  in  the  lustre  of  patriot- 
ism that  followed  him,  living,  and  gilds  his  memory  for  all  time  to 
come  ) and  where  also,  in  these,  our  own  times,  dwells  one  who,  inspired 
by  the  genial  muse  sends  forth  from  the  same  hallowed  scene  his  elo- 
quent and  harmonious  strains,  that  come  to  us  in  our  thoughtful  moments 
like  the  sweet  and  solemn  voices  of  the  night.  (Great  applause.) 

Sir,  it  is  for  these,  among  other  considerations,  that  I am  delighted 
with  what  I have  witnessed  and  learned  since  I came  to  Boston. 
This  little  pebble  which  I hold  in  my  hand,  I found  yesterday,  where 
it  lay  glistening  in  the  beams  of  the  mid-day  sun,  upon  the  sands  of 
the  shore  washed  by  the  waters  of  Massachusetts  Bay.  With  this 
white  stone  do  I mark  in  my  calendar  the  first  day  I ever  passed  in 
Boston.  (Applause.) 

I cannot  better  allude  to  the  scenes  and  incidents  which  have 
filled  my  mind  with  the  most  grateful  recollections  and  associations, 
than  by  using  the  eloquent  words  of  one  of  the  sweetest  poets  of  New 
England,  — of  my  own  native  New  England  : — such  scenes  as  these 


“ are  pilgrim  shrines, — 

Shrines  to  no  code  or  creed  confined — 

The  Delphian  vales,  the  Palestines, 

The  Meccas  of  the  mind.” 


In  conclusion,  Mr.  President,  I beg  leave  to  offer  a sentiment 


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which  briefly  expresses  the  gratitude  that  fills  my  heart,  and  which  I 
would  fain  venture  to  put  more  fully  into  words,  if  I had  the  voice 
left  in  which  to  utter  them  : 

The  City  of  Boston : honored  in  the  past  generations  for  its  pat- 
riotic love  of  liberty ; in  the  present,  for  its  veneration  for  antiquity, 
and  its  graceful  courtesies  of  private  hospitality.  (Great  applause.). 

The  next  sentiment  was  — 

The  Boston  Sanitary  Association , established  for  the  promotion  of 
the  public  health ; yet  ever  subject  to  an  attack  of  the  Quinsy. 

Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  in  responding  to  this  sentiment,  said  : — 

When  the  quinsy  is  introduced  into  a sanitary  association,  the  first 
thing  they  naturally  desire  is  to  get  rid  of  it  as  soon  as  possible, 
and  I will  endeavor  to  relieve  you  in  a very  brief  time.  (Laughter.) 
But  I cannot  help  alluding  to  the  peculiarities  of  this  meeting.  We 
read  in  the  ancient  Jewish  records  of  a certain  feast  where  men  were 
expected  to  take  their  meal  with  their  loins  girt  about  and  their 
staves  in  their  hands ; but  I believe  this  is  the  first  time  I ever  had 
the  honor  of  being  present  at  a dinner  where  men  had  their  trunks 
packed  and  their  tickets  in  their  pockets.  But  they  have  been  able 
to  do  one  thing  that  I do  not  think  evefti  Moses  himself  could  have 
performed,  and  that  is  to  stop  an  express  train  on  the  Old  Colony 
Bailroad  for  four  hours.  (Great  laughter.) 

But  there  is  one  remarkable  fact  connected  with  this  meeting.  A 
great  majority  of  ‘the  members  are  of  the  medical  profession.  I have 
heard  that  a celebrated  doctor,  at  one  of  his  lectures  upon  Sanitary 
Science,  urged  upon  his  pupils  to  be  faithful  in  ascertaining  the  mode 
of  preventing  disease,  and  to  be  eloquent  in  urging  others  to  apply  it. 
He  added,  You  will  say  it  is  not  our  business  to  prevent  disease  ; our 
profession  is  to  cure  it  when  it  exists.  You  need  not  trouble  your- 
selves about  that,  said  he ; there  is  not  a rascal  of  them  who  will  ever 
follow  your  directions. 

There  is  a country  where  the  doctor  receives  a salary  so  long  as 
the  family  under  his  care  is  well,  and  it  stops  the  moment  any 
one  of  them  is  sick.  But  here  the  gentlemen  engaged  in  a profes- 
sion by  which  they  obtain  their  support  from  the  amount  of 
sickness  in  the  community,  are  the  most  earnest  in  promoting  the 
sanitary  condition  of  the  community.  In  allusion  to  that,  I would 
express  as  a layman  the  high  sense  I entertain  of  the  medical 
profession  in  the  United  States;  and  I would  give  you  as  a senti- 
ment : — 

The  Physicians  of  America : The  advocates  of  good  learning  and 
liberal  practice ; always  ready  to  heal  the  diseases  which  their  fore- 
knowledge and  forewarnings  could  not  prevent.  (Applause.) 

The  next  sentiment  was  — 

“ Newark  and  the  State  of  New  Jersey.” 

To  this  sentiment,  Alderman  Ball,  of  Newark,  responded.  He 
said  : — 


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Mr.  President : While  I am  proud  that  the  representatives  of  so 
many  of  the  principal  cities  of  this  glorious  Union  have  seen  fit  to 
notice  our  obscure  city,  I regret  that  our  beloved  Mayor  Bigelow  has 
found  it  necessary  to  retire  to  his  home.  He  would  have  been 
happy  to  remain  here  if  the  circumstances  of  his  family  would  have 
permitted,  and  to  respond  to  this  sentiment.  New  Jersey  is  still  in 
the  Union,  and  whenever  the  history  of  this  country  is  written,  and 
by  whomsoever  it  is  written,  New  Jersey  will  be  remembered.  It  will 
be  remembered  that  New  Jersey,  in  our  struggle  for  Independence, 
was  instrumental  in  doing  much  to  bring  about  that  event.  While 
our  army  suffered  much  in  that  State,  it  was  in  that  State  that  it 
achieved  many  of  those  glorious  deeds  which  led  to  our  Independence. 
While  you  have  near  your  city  the  place  once  occupied  as  the  head- 
quarters of  the  commander,  we  have  to  show  you  in  Morristown  where 
the  Father  of  his  Country  also  remained  for  a considerable  time  during 
that  struggle  for  liberty.  And  if  we  may  believe  in  the  return  of 
spirits  to  this  world,  we  may  suppose  that  the  Father  of  his  Country 
would  love  to  return  to  New  Jersey  and  linger  about  the  waters  of  the 
Delaware  and  about  our  State  Capital,  where  was  done  so  much  to 
accomplish  our  Independence,  and  especially  where  he  accomplished 
that  glorious  victory  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware,  on  that  stormy  and 
cold  night  of  December. 

You  have  spoken,  Mr.  President,  of  the  manufacturing  interests  of 
our  city.  It  is  true  that  we  depend  upon  manufactures  for  the  glory 
of  our  city ; and  this,  too,  has  given  us  a national  feeling,  for  we  sell 
to  our  brethren  in  the  South,  and  furnish  them  with  our  manufac- 
tures, and  to  them  we  are  indebted  for  the  glory  of  our  beautiful  city. 
And  we  feel  an  attachment  to  the  South,  the  East,  and  the  West;  and 
it  may  be  said  of  us  that  we  know  no  East,  no  West,  no  North,  and  no 
South.  We  are  national.  While  we  love  Massachusetts,  we  love 
South  Carolina,  we  love  Alabama  and  New  Orleans;  we  love  the. 
Union.  (Applause.) 

We  are  happy  to  say  that  the  Sanitary  Conventions  heretofore  held 
in  different  cities,  have  been  of  great  benefit  to  us  in  Newark.  The 
works  you  have  published,  the  information  you  have  given,  have  done 
us  much  good.  Having  been  a member  of  the  City  Government,  I 
have  found  with  others  that  the  measures  recommended  have  been 
valuable,  and  have  enabled  us  to  add  greatly  to  the  health  and  happi- 
ness of  our  city.  And  as  many  in  our  city  labor  for  a living, — and  I 
am  happy  to  represent  those  who  labor,  — I am  happy  to  say  that 
your  influence  will  bring  to  those  laborers  a great  boon.  It  was  said 
by  him  who  spake  as  never  man  spake,  “The  poor  you  have  always 
with  you.”  We  have  the  poor  with  us,  and  I am  happy  to  know  that 
many  noble  men  have  reported  plans  for  tenements  for  the  poor,  and 
have  recommended  such  as  will  be  for  their  happiness  and  comfort. 
What  greater  work  can  we  accomplish  than  to  bring  health  and  hap- 
piness to  the  poor  through  the  labors  of  this  Convention.  While  in 
many  cities  quarantines  have  been  abolished,  I am  glad  that  the  poor 
have  not  been  forgotten.  Let  us  go  on  and  do  what  we  can  to  pro- 
mote their  happiness,  and  if  we  can  introduce  health  and  comfort 


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where  now  there  is  disease  and  death,  then  it  shall  not  he  said  of  us, 
“ I was  sick,  and  ye  visited  me  not;”  hut  it  shall  be  said  that  the 
blessing  of  the  poor  is  upon  us,  — even  of  those  who  were  ready  to 
perish ; and  it  shall  be  said,  “ Come  up ; inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it 
unto  one  of  the  least  of  these,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me.”  (Applause.) 
In  the  glorious  work  you  have  commenced,  go  on. 

I thank  you,  in  the  name  of  the  Mayor  and  City  of  Newark,  that 
among  the  glorious  States  of  this  Union  you  have  noticed  our  obscure 
city,  and  I can  assure  you  that  we  are  going  forward,  and  we  shall 
endeavor  to  carryout  those  sanitary  measures  upon  which  you  have 
greatly  enlightened  us. 

The  next  sentiment  was  — 

II  The  Sanitary  Association  of  New  York  City.” 

Gen.  F.  E.  Mather,  of  New  York,  on  rising,  playfully  protested 
against  his  treatment  in  not  being  notified  that  he  was  to  respond  to 
the  sentiment  before.  He  said  he  was  treated  like  the  Dutchman’s 
sourkrout,  as  being  ever  ready.  (Laughter.) 

He  said  he  did,  in  one  sense,  represent  the  Sanitary  Association  of 
New  York,  which  he  believed  was  fairly  and  honestly  entitled  to  the 
credit  of  being  the  pioneer  in  this  work,  so  far  as  a local  organization 
is  concerned. 

But,  said  he,  if  I am  to  speak,  I desire  to  speak  on  a matter  in 
vindication  of  myself.  A few  years  since,  in  exploring  your  beautiful 
city,  I discovered  in  a cemetery  on  Copp’s  Hill,  an  ancient  and  unpre- 
tending monument;  and  on  the  tablet  I read,  with  peculiar  emotions, 
this  inscription:  u,Tis  the  tomb  of  our  fathers.”  To  explain 
this,  I wish  to  say  that  if  you  — and  by  you  I mean  Bostonians  — 
claim  to  be  the  descendants,  either  literally  or  figuratively,  of  those 
ancient  worthies  whose  ashes  repose  there,  then  I say  tha£  I,  though  a 
stranger,  am  your  brother.  (Great  cheering.) 

Now,  sir,  I claim,  in  all  the  frankness  of  fraternal  sincerity,  to  come 
to  you  and  state  to  you  my  grievances,  and  to  apologize  to  you  for  any 
reproach  which  I may  have  brought  upon  you  and  our  common  ances- 
try. At  the  last  banquet  in  New  York,  I was  literally  and  physically 
forced  to  open  my  mouth  against  my  will.  On  that  occasion,  I en- 
deavored to  indulge  in  a little  pleasantry.  I had  no  idea  that  my 
remarks  were  to  be  placed  on  record  as  permanent.  But  I have  since 
seen  in  print  remarks  imputed  to  me  on  that  occasion  which  I dis- 
claim. You  know  there  is  such  a thing  as  written  history  and  un- 
written history.  You  will  recollect  that  the  first  white  settler  on  this 
peninsula  was  a man  by  the  name  of  William  Blackstone,  not  that 
great  commentator  whose  commentaries  I and  others  of  my  profession 
have  been  obliged  to  peruse;  but  he  was  a regular  John  Bull,  and, 
though  he  hated  the  lord  brethren,  he  left  England  because  he  hated 
the  Lord  Bishops ; and,  though  he  was  a devoted  loyalist,  he  estab- 
lished a pure  democratic  government  on  this  peninsula,  and  conducted 
it  with  such  entire  success  that  for  years  there  was  no  dissenting 
voice  on  any  public  question.  Though  he  hated  the  lord  breth- 


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ren,  he  was  of  a convivial  turn  of  mind,  and  invited  those  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river  to  come  and  dine  with  him.  There  was  where  your 
. venerable  Governor  Winthrop  got  into  trouble.  This  is  unwritten  his- 
tory, but  it  is  true.  Now,  though  Blackstone  hated  the  lord  brethren 
ecclesiastically,  that  did  not  prevent  good  fellowship  with  them  socially. 
Mr.  Winthrop  came  over  with  some  associates,  and  they  had  a good  time. 
And  it  so  happened  that  they  had  reporters  then,  as  we  have  them 
now,  and  they  made  a note  of  Governor  Winthrop’s  post  prandial 
speech.  Matters  thus  went  on  well  enough  till  Winthrop  and  others 
got  the  consent  of  Blackstone  to  come  over  here  and  establish  a foot- 
hold; and,  although  they  were  Englishmen,  Yankee-like  they  got 
such  a foothold  they  lifted  the  old  fellow  out  of  this  peninsula,  and 
then  Winthrop  was  made  Governor.  That  state  of  things  continued 
for  a time,  until  at  length  there  was  an  opposition  to  Winthrop  got 
up.  And  there  is  where  written  history  errs,  for  that  puts  the  opposi- 
tion on  the  ground  that  if  they  continued  to  elect  him  year  after  year, 
he  would  eventually  become  Governor  for  life.  But  the  fact  was, 
Winthrop  was  superseded  by  another  man  because  of  the  dinner  speech 
he  made,  and  of  which  a note  had  been  taken. 

I could  not  allow  this  occasion  to  pass  without  disclaiming  the 
speech  attributed  to  me  last  year,  and  showing  that  written  history 
is  not  necessarily  true.  I give,  in  closing,  — 

The  Progress  of  Sanitary  Reform  — Perseverance  until  we  accom- 
plish the  full  work  in  which  we  are  engaged. 

The  next  sentiment  was  to  — 

. “The  Clergy.”  ' 

To  this  sentiment,  Kev.  Dr.  Lothrop,  of  Boston,  responded  thus  : — 
Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Convention : Possibly,  I 
have  not  any  explanations  to  make  about  any  remarks  that  I made 
last  year  ; therefore,  I must  be  brief.  I thank  you  for  the  kind  allu- 
sion you  have  made  to  my  profession,  and  in  their  behalf  I may  say 
that  I sympathize  heartily  and  deeply  in  the  objects  which  have  called 
you  together  this  year.  I may  say  to  my  friend  from  New  York, 
(Gen.  Wetmore,)  that  we  shall  not  need  any  white  stone  in  our  calen- 
dars to  remember  the  meeting  of  this  Convention  in  this  city;  we  shall 
bear  it  in  our  hearts  forever.  (Great  applause.) 

I only  want  to  give  expression  to  one  sentiment  more.  I heartily 
respond,  as  I am  sure  every  man  does,  to  the  remarks  which  fell  from 
our  friend,  Dr.  Guthrie,  of  Tennessee.  (Good,  good,  and  cheers.)  I 
have  been  accustomed  from  my  profession  to  have  a great  reverence 
for  a man  of  great  influence  in  the  world,  — a man  by  the  name  of 
Moses.  If  you  read  his  history,  you  will  find  that  he  established  cer- 
tain feasts  that  brought  the  people  together  from  various  parts  of  the 
country ; and  it  was  through  the  influence  of  these  feasts,  and  the 
power  of  these  social  feelings,  that  the  Jewish  nation  was  held  toge- 
ther as  one  man.  (Applause.)  It  is  the  social  principle,  the  bring- 
ing together  of  men  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  from  the  East  and 
the  West,  the  North  and  the  South,  that  leads  them  to  forget  all  their 
peculiar  points  of  the  compass,  and  to  remember  only  that  they  are 
19 


146 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


one  body  and  one  people.  It  is  that  social  principle,  gaining  the 
affections  of  our  hearts,  which  is  to  preserve  this  Union  and  this  peo- 
ple forever.  (Great  applause.) 

I give  you  therefore,  in  conclusion,  a sentiment  in  correspondence 
with  these  remarks. 

The  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention.  Their  annual  meetings, 
while  they  serve  to  preserve  the  physical  health  of  the  people,  they 
will  serve  more  strongly  to  make  the  pulse  of  the  moral,  social,  and 
patriotic  health  of  the  people  beat  with  a more  firm  and  steady  throb 
(Applause.) 

The  next  sentiment  was  — 

The  Past  Presidents  of  the  Sanitary  Convention. 

Dr.  John  H.  Griscom,  of  New  York,  in  response,  said : — 

Mr.  Mayor:  Mentioned  in  that  notice,  simply  as  a memorial 
of  the  past,  I hoped  to  have  been  overlooked  on  this  occasion.  But, 
sir,  I am  happy  to  seize  upon  the  opportunity  to  present  to  this 
audience  a thought  which  does  not  seem  to  have  occurred  to  any  one, 
and  the  only  one,  perhaps,  which  has  not,  in  the  rich  profusion  of 
intellect  that  has  been  poured  out  upon  us,  and  which  I cannot  hesitate 
to  present  at  this  time,  and  which  I beg  that  every  individual  will  carry 
home  with  him  and  treasure  up.  Mr.  Mayor,  Massachusetts  was  the 
birthplace  of  the  revolution,  the  political  revolution  of  our  country. 
It  is  also,  sir,  the  birthplace  of  the  sanitary  revolution  of  the  coun- 
try; for  it  is  the  very  first  State  in  the  Union  to  adopt  the  Sanitary 
Declaration  of  Independence  which  was  promulgated  in  New  York 
last  year.  She  stands  upon  two  pinnacles,  one  political,  the  other 
sanitary,  a beacon-light  from  both,  reviving  and  diffusing  their  broad 
rays  all  over  the  world. 

And  this  brings  up  another  thought,  which  is  that  this  Sanitary 
Convention,  now  but  four  years  old,  is  about  to  become  a mother.  The 
conception  has  already  occurred ; next  year  she  will  have  a full- 
grown  daughter,  a daughter  which  shall  take  her  place  upon  the  stage 
of  action  and  continue  to  carry  forward  the  great  work  which  the 
mother  has  commenced.  We  shall  have  next  year,  I doubt  not,  the 
American  Sanitary  Association,  which  will  live  until  her  work  shall 
be  performed  and  her  need  shall  be  no  longer.  (Great  cheering.)  So 
let  me  return  to  this  great  code  of  sanitary  reform  which  Massachu- 
setts has  adopted  almost  in  todidem  verbis  as  it  was  presented  to  the 
world.  I allude  to  it  to  call  upon  his  feet  the  author  of  that  code, 
Dr.  Henry  G.  Clark,  of  Boston. 

Dr.  H.  G.  Clark,  of  Boston,  being  thus  called  up,  said  : — 

Mr.  Mayor,  and  Gentlemen  : You,  who  are  my  friends  and  neighbors, 
know  very  well  that  it  is  not  at  all  my  custom  to  speak  in  public.  I 
have  only  been  too  happy  to  be  a listener  here ; and  now  I only 
rise  and  thank  you  for  the  opportunity  to  do  so,  not  so  much  for  the 
compliment  to  me,  but  for  your  assistance  in  carrying  out  the  Sanitary 
Code,  of  which  I was  not  the  author,  but  only  the  compiler  so  far  as  I 
was  able.  But  I will  not  occupy  your  time  which  may  be  more 
pleasantly  occupied  by  others.  I will,  therefore,  conclude  by  reading 
a sentiment. 


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147 


The  Health  of  one  of  the  first  Sanitarians  and  one  of  the  first  men 
in  this  or  any  country.  The,  illustrious  Surgeon  of  New  York,  Dr. 
Alexander  H.  Stevens. 

On  rising  to  respond,  Dr.  Stevens  was  received  with  great  cheering, 
lie  said : — 

Mr.  President : ITad  I been  permitted  to  appear  without  such  a 
flourish  of  trumpets,  I should  have  appeared  in  a way  that  would  have 
suited  my  own  wishes  better.  I have  been  a young  man,  and  am  now 
an  old  one,  and  among  this  large  audience  there  are  not  a few  who 
have  owed  to  me  some  portion,  perhaps  no  small  portion,  of  their 
medical  education.  The  sons  of  such  are  also,  in  no  small  numbers, 
among  my  present  auditors.  And  somehow  or  other  I have  contract- 
ed a habit  of  trying  to  extract  from  all  the  scenes  of  life  some  great 
truth  which,  perchance,  it  may  be  worth  my  hearers’  while  to  carry 
away  with  them  and  to  remember,  and  in  so  doing,  to  remember  me  as 
we  are  fain  to  be  remembered.  And  the  great  danger  which  comes 
upon  me  here, — having  traversed  a great  part  of  New  England  on  my 
way  to  Boston,  going  through  New  Haven  to  revive  my  college  recol- 
lections, turning  olf  to  Middletown  to  see  a son  there  in  the  process  of 
education,  going  to  Pittsfield  to  see  another  son  who  has  there  made  a 
home,  and  coming  thence  to  Boston, — the  prominent  idea  in  my  mind 
has  been,  what  a wonderful  country,  what  a wonderful  people,  what  un- 
told wealth  is  here  in  New  England  ! What  is  the  source  of  all  that 
wealth  ? I said  to  myself.  Not  in  the  ice,  not  in  the  granite,  not  in 
the  hard  soil,  not  in  the  mild  climate.  No  sir,  it  is  in  the  men  of  New 
England.  One  New  England  man,  educated  in  New  England  fashion, 
is  worth  more  than  three  common  men.  (Great  applause.)  And 
whence  come  these  men,  sir?  From  a class  of  society  whom  you  have 
ignored,  sir ; and  when  I was  solicited  to  speak,  it  was  in  behalf  of  our 
mothers,  and  sisters,  and  daughters  of  New  England,  whom  we  ought 
to  remember  before  we  go  away,  as  the  educators  of  our  boys  in  bring- 
ing them  up  to  be  the  producers  of  this  wealth  which  so  surrounds  us. 
Sir,  I am  done.  (Great  applause.) 

The  next  sentiment  was  — 

11  The  United  States  Army,”  to  which  Lieutenant  McLauren 
responded,  by  offering  this  sentiment : — 

The  American  Sanitary  Convention  — May  their  laudable  efforts 
for  the  promotion  of  the  public  health  be  crowded  with  eminent  suc- 
cess. 

The  Mayor.  We  have  a gentleman  present,  of  whom  every  one 
who  is  acquainted  with  our  history,  is  proud,  one  who  was  in  the  last 
century  in  the  United  States  army.  I give  you  — 

Another  half  century  of  years  to  the  gallant  Col.  Thomas  Aspinwall. 
(Applause.) 

In  response,  Col.  Aspinwall  said  : — 

Mr.  Mayor : I do  not  think  that  I ought  to  complain,  because  what 
you  have  done  is  intended  as  an  honor  to  me ; but  I am  afraid  you 
have  only  introduced  me  to  this  assembly  to  dishonor  myself.  I am 


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not  a speaker,  but  I feel  very  grateful  for  the  honor  you  have  done  me 
in  calling  me  out  on  this  occasion.  If  anything  in  my  past  history 
is  thought  worthy  of  praise,  I am  sure  I owe  it  more  to  the  opinion 
of  the  gentlemen  who  are  around  me,  than  to  any  particular  merit  of 
my  own.  I happened  to  be  a Vice-President  of  this  Sanitary 
and  Quarantine  Convention.  It  is  a place  I did  not  covet,  but  which 
was  in  a manner  thrust  upon  me,  and  to  which  I did  not  feel  myself 
competent.  But  in  the  great  objects  of  the  Convention,  I felt  my 
heart  very  much  interested.  I have  been  gratified  to  meet  so 
many  gentlemen  from  different  parts  of  the  country,  intellectual  and 
scientific,  qualified  not  only  to  accomplish  the  objects  for  which  they 
were  called  together  • but  also,  I may  say,  from  some  little  experience, 
qualified  to  compete  with  the  scientific  men  of  Europe.  The  reports 
that  we  have  had  are  of  a character  that  I am  sure,  in  after  days  and 
even  at  the  present  time,  will  not  only  meet  with  the  approbation,  but 
many  of  them  with  the  admiration  of  the  scientific  men  of  Europe. 

Another  thing  which  has  pleased  me  has  been  the  evidence  of  the 
progress  and  improvement  of  medical  science  in  this  country.  To  com- 
pare yourselves  with  those  who  lived  in  former  times,  every  gentleman  of 
the  medical  profession  is  aware  that  Hippocrates  is  looked  upon  as  the 
father  of  the  science,  and,  I dare  say,  every  one  of  them  thinks  he  is  to 
be  copied  in  all  things.  But  look  into  the  history  of  that  man,  and  com- 
pare his  views  with  those  entertained  at  present.  Hippocrates  was  asked 
by  some  of  the  people  of  Illyricum  and  others,  what  was  the  best  mode 
to  protect  themselves  from  the  plague.  He  refused  to  answer,  and  asked 
them  which  way  the  prevailing  wind  blew.  Hippocrates,  I suspect,  was 
a little  of  a political  temperament,  and  looked  at  the  weather-cock. 
(Laughter.)  He  was  more  careful  when  Attica  was  exposed  to  the 
plague,  to  which  place  he  belonged ; for  he  taught  the  people  there  to 
take  care  of  themselves.  He  was  literally  a u State  rights  ” man. 

But  we  find  men  here  who  are  giving  up  their  own  living  to  pre- 
vent diseases  by  which  they  obtain  their  living.  This  is  the  difference 
between  ancient  and  modern  times. 

Mr.  John  C.  Wyman,  of  Boston,  was  next  called  up,  and  he  acknowl- 
edged the  distinguished  honor  of  being  called  upon  to  speak. 

Not  having  been  present  at  any  of  the  meetings  of  the  Convention, 
he  related  an  anecdote  expressive  of  his  views,  intended  to  show 
his  very  favorable  opinion  of  this  part  of  the  exercises  in  which  he  had 
participated  this  evening.  If  this  entertainment  was  an  exposition  of 
sanitary  science,  he  must  consider  it  a very  rational  one  at  least.  Every 
such  scene  as  this  teaches  a lesson  and  has  a moral,  as  it  proclaims  the 
advancement  of  science  in  this  century. 

There  was  a time  when  Naaman  the  Syrian  was  smitten  with  that 
fell  disease,  leprosy,  and  when  he  sought  the  advice  of  Elijah  the 
prophet.  Having  in  vain  tried  all  sanitary  measures,  he  went  to  the 
prophet,  who  told  him  to  wash  in  Jordan.  But  the  king  desired  to 
know  why  Arbana  and  Parphar  were  not  equally  good.  But,  influ- 
enced by  friends,  he  went  to  the  right  stream  and  found  relief.  Since 
that  time  we  have  found  in  the  Schuylkill,  Croton,  and  Cochituate, 
sure  and  specific  remedy  for  diseases. 


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149 


This  indicates  advancement,  and  may  every  water-work,  wherever 
it  is  established,  be  successful  in  aiding  sanitary  reform,  and  may 
there  be  one  established  in  every  city,  so  that  the  Convention  may  have 
a right  hand  to  work  with. 

The  next  sentiment  was  — 

The  City  of  Charlestown. 

Mayor  Dana,  of  Charlestown,  said : You  will  pardon  me,  Mr. 
President,  for  saying  that  I am  proud  to  represent  the  city  of  Charles- 
town, which  holds  the  consecrated  soil  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  the  no- 
ble monument  which  is  upon  it ; and  whatever  others  may  do,  we 
who  dwell  near  that  soil  are  determined  to  protect  it  and  the  monu- 
ment upon  it;  for  that  column  stands  on  Union,  and  that  Union  we 
are  bound  to  stand  by  and  protect. 

It  may  not  be  known  to  all  the  members  of  this  assembly,  that  I 
have  the  honor  to  represent  this  evening,  a city  which  contains,  in 
point  of  territory,  the  smallest  area  of  any  municipality  in  this  Com- 
monwealth, and  probably  in  any  State  in  the  Union.  Our  territory 
has  an  area  of  but  about  six  hundred  acres.  After  deducting  our  pub- 
lic streets,  squares,  and  that  devoted  to  the  Monument,  you  will  see  that 
there  is  but  a small  area  for  purposes  of  residences  in  that  city.  We 
have  now  some  twenty-five  thousand  (25,000)  inhabitants.  Proba- 
bly the  area  of  the  city  which  can  be  made  use  of  for  purposes  of 
habitations,  cannot  be  more  than  double  which  is  already  so  occupied ; 
and  we  shall  soon  present  in  this  Union  the  first  municipality  which 
contains  the  maximum  of  population,  which  its  area  will  allow. 
Therefore  the  deliberations  of  this  Convention  are  of  great  interest 
to  us.  If  any  city  in  the  Union  has  need  of  air,  of  light,  of 
drainage,  and  of  ventilation,  it  is  ours.  We  have  the  noble 
Mystic  on  the  east,  and  the  Charles  on  the  west,  so  that  we  have 
every  opportunity  for  drainage,  and  if  the  drainage  in  our  city  is 
not  complete  and  good,  the  fault  rests  with  us  alone.  We  deem  the 
subjects  which  have  claimed  the  attention  of  this  Convention  as  among 
the  most  important  for  public  consideration.  This  Convention  has  met 
for  no  local,  no  political  purpose,  but  for  a purpose  which  should  engage 
the  attention  of  every  community,  of  every  city,  in  this  country.  No 
matter  from  what  section  of  the  Union  we  may  come,  we  are  all  alike 
interested  in  it.  Every  commercial  city,  every  manufacturing  city,  is 
interested  in  the  deliberations  of  this  Convention. 

At  this  late  hour,  I will  not  further  trespass  on  your  indulgence ; 
but,  thanking  you  for  the  honor  you  have  done  me  on  this  occasion,  I 
will  offer  a sentiment. 

The  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention.  May  God  speed 
it  in  all  its  efforts  to  improve  and  ameliorate  the  condition  of  mankind. 
(Applause.) 

The  President  then  briefly  called  attention  to  the  fact,  that  the  next 
day  was  the  anniversary  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  stated  that 
on  the  Monday  following,  the  day  would  be  suitably  commemorated  in 
Charlestown,  and  invited  so  many  of  the  gentlemen  from  abroad  as 


150  National  Quarantine  Convention. 

could  remain,  to  avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity  of  seeing  one  of 
our  holidays. 

He  then  offered  the  following  sentiment,  which  had  been  handed  to 
him,  and  which  he  considered  eminently  due  to  Col.  Stevens  : — 

Our  Host , Col.  Stevens,  the  founder  of  six  sanitary  hospitals  — 
the  Revere  and  the  Tremont,  of  Boston;  the  Fifth  Avenue,  of  New 
York;  the  Continental,  of  Philadephia;  the  Battle  House,  of  Mobile, 
and  the  Point  Clear  Hotel,  of  Alabama. 

Three  cheers  were  then  given  for  Col.  Stevens. 

Mr.  Jno.  C.  Tucker,  of  the  Common  Council  of  Boston,  here  rose 
and  alluded  to  a gentleman  present  as  one  who  had  done  more  than 
any  other  man  in  Boston,  by  personal  labor,  in  elevating  the  character 
of  its  public  institutions,  — and  he  hoped  they  might  hear  from  him, 
he  meant  the  late  President  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Public  Insti- 
tutions, Hon.  Moses  Kimball.  (Applause.) 

Mr.  Kimball  accordingly  rose  and  spoke  as  follows : — 

Mr.  Mayor  : After  the  modifications  that  have  been  made  in  quar- 
antine regulations,  through  the  effect  of  the  light  reflected  upon  the 
subject  by  the  action  of  the  Convention,  I think  I was  right  in  hoping 
I should  escape  an  embargo  on  this  occasion.  But,  sir,  your  will, 
backed  up  as  it  is  by  the  formidable  crowd  between  me  and  the  door, 
is  law,  and  I have  nothing  do  but  to  obey ; though,  after  the  honeyed 
words  of  eloquence  that  have  fallen  from  classic  lips,  and  the  teachings 
of  wisdom  and  instruction  that  we  have  listened  to  from  the  richly 
stored  minds  of  the  scientific  gentlemen  from  abroad  and  of  our  own 
city,  I would  much  rather  have  been  excused. 

I do  not  agree  with  my  friend  who  called  for  me,  that  we  have  had 
too  little  of  Boston  men  this  evening.  I think  our  time  has  been 
much  more  advantageously  occupied  in  listening  to  the  gentlemen  who 
have  addressed  us.  Yesterday,  I thought  we  had  too  much  of  Boston, 
and  too  -little  of  our  guests ; but  you,  Mr.  Mayor,  knew  what  you  was 
about,  and  what  was  best,  for  then  you  only  made  a display  of  the 
light  arms,  keeping  the  heavy  ordnance  for  this  evening.  The  result, 
sir,  I think,  is  a compliment  to  your  judgment  in  the  matter. 

I know  not  that  I can  add  anything  of  interest  to  what  you  have 
already  heard.  Honored,  in  consequence  of  my  connection  with  the 
Public  Institutions,  by  having  been  repeatedly  appointed  one  of  the 
delegates  from  Boston,  I have  endeavored  to  give  the  subjects  consid- 
ered whatever  of  knowledge  or  ability  I possessed.  The  result  of  my 
observation  is,  that,  in  my  belief,  the  meetings  of  the  Quarantine  and 
Sanitary  Conventions  have  been  the  most  beneficial  to  mankind  at  large 
of  any  ever  holden  in  this  country.  To  be  sure,  sir,  the  scientific  and 
medical  terms  so  frequently  and  necessarily  used  in  the  debates,  were 
at  first  nearly  as  unintelligible  to  me  as  Choctaw;  but  so  clear  and 
forcible  were  the  arguments  advanced,  and  so  much  of  interest  con- 
tained in  the  business  of  the  body,  and  such  a vast  fund  of  practical 
information  communicated,  that  the  most  obtuse  could  not  fail  to 
become  a learner,  and  to  be  benefited  by  what  he  heard.  Like  that 


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151 


great  humanitarian  and  lover  of  his  race,  the  immortal  Jenner,  who 
gave  to  the  world  that  most  potent  preventive  against  that  loathsome 
disease,  smallpox,  in  his  discovery  of  vaccination ; so  we  have  found 
assembled  in  these  Conventions  the  learned  and  the  celebrated  of  the 
medical  profession,  some  of  them  coming  from  a great  distance,  with 
much  loss  of  valuable  time,  and  at  great  expense,  — ignoring  what,  in 
the  popular  belief,  is  the  first  cardinal  principle  of  the  medical  pro- 
fession, viz  : u always  to  be  certain  and  charge  the  visit, ” and  laboring 
not  how  to  cure  sickness,  nor  how  to  swell  the  business  and  emoluments 
of  the  profession,  but  desiring,  from  their  long  years  of  experience 
and  research  into  the  causes  of  disease,  to  teach  people  how  to  keep 
well  and  do  without  the  doctor.  All  honor  to  them  for  their  disinter- 
estedness. Would  that  we  had  more  amongst  us  who  thought  less  of 
gold,  and  cared  more  for  their  fellow-man. 

It  seems  to  me,  sir,  not  improper  here  to  speak  of  what  our  city  has 
done  in  regard  to  these  Conventions.  Upon  the  first  suggestion  of  the 
movement,  she  responded,  as  she  does  to  all  good  measures,  with  her 
whole  heart.  Our  best  physicians  lent  their  valuable  aid,  when  the 
project  seemed  to  be  merely  an  experiment,  and,  by  their  knowledge  and 
large  experience,  did  much  toward  the  successful  result  that  has  been 
arrived  at.  In  my  opinion,  sir,  if  nothing  more  had  been  accomplished 
than  breaking  the  shackles  of  the  barbarous  system  which  had  so  long 
existed  of  quarantining  vessels,  with  all  its  injustice,  inconvenience, 
and  inhumanity  to  travellers,  and  loss  of  millions  of  dollars  to  the 
commerce  of  the  country,  that  alone  would  be  worth  the  work  of  a life. 
But,  sir,  the  Conventions  have  done  much  more.  They  have  aroused 
public  opinion  in  sanitary  matters,  and  awakened  legislators  to  the  im- 
portance of  the  subject.  By  its  adoption  of  the  sanitary  code  for 
cities,  reported  last  session  by  Dr.  Henry  G.  Clark,  our  own  City  Phy- 
sician, they  have  conferred  upon  humanity  a blessing  without  price. 
Heretofore,  Boards  of  Health  have  been  crippled  for  the  want  of  law  to 
accomplish  all  that  the  public  good  required  should  be  done  to  prevent 
disease.  Now,  sir,  thanks  to  Dr.  Clark  for  his  personal  efforts,  and 
thanks  again  to  another  of  our  citizens,  who  worked  bravely  and  ener- 
getically for  reform,  as  he  always  works  untiringly  and  understanding^ 
in  whatever  he  undertakes,  — I mean  Mr.  Joseph  M.  Wightman, — 
you  have  law  that  enables  you,  Mr.  Mayor,  with  your  associates  of  the 
Board  of  Health,  to  enforce  sanitary  measures ; for  some  of  the  most 
important  provisions  of  the  Sanitary  Code  of  the  Convention  are  em- 
bodied in  the  New  General  Statutes  of  Massachusetts,  that  went  into 
effect  on  the  first  day  of  the  present  month.  You  can  now,  sir,  enter 
upon  premises,  and  compel  the  right.  The  ignorant  and  degraded 
can  no  longer  legally,  in  Massachusetts,  live  in  the  poisonous  atmos- 
phere of  dens  and  holes,  whether  under  ground  or  above  ground,  fes- 
tering and  rotting  in  their  own  filth,  contaminating  a neighborhood,, 
and  breeding  disease.  You  have  the  right  to  stop  it,  and  I doubt  not. 
the  city  will  feel  the  advantage  of  your  efforts  in  the  right  direction. 
Give  such  people  pure  air,  and  compel  cleanliness,  and  the  reduced 
scale  of  our  bills  of  mortality  will  tell  a flattering  tale  in  the  future. 


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But,  sir,  the  subject  is  a prolific  one,  and  increases  in  magnitude 
and  importance  as  we  consider  it.  At  this  late  hour,  I have  not  time, 
nor  have  I the  ability  if  there  was  time,  to  do  it  even  a tithe  of  justice ; 
and  while  I feel  truly  grateful  for  the  attention  paid  me  for  the 
few  minutes  I have  occupied,  my  only  regret  is,  that  every  one  who 
hears  me  should  not  have  been  able  to  have  listened  to  the  delibera- 
tions of  the  Convention  which  has  just  closed. 

The  Mayor  then  dismissed  the  company. 


APPENDIX. 


20 


QUARANTINE  REGULATIONS 


AS  APPROVED  BY  THE 


NATIONAL 

QUARANTINE  AND  SANITARY  ASSOCIATION 

OB’  THE 


UNITED  STATES. 


1 8 6 0 . 


APPENDIX  A. 


QUARANTINE  REGULATIONS. 


At  the  Third  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Association,  held 
in  New  York,  April,  1859,  the  following  Resolutions  were  adopted, 
and  the  undersigned  were  appointed  a Committee  in  accordance  there- 
with : — 

Resolved,  That  the  operations  of  quarantine  should  not  he  confined 
to  the  warm  months  of  the  year;  inasmuch  as  a vessel,  arriving  in 
midwinter,  with  smallpox  or  typhus  on  hoard,  is  as  legitimate  a sub- 
ject for  quarantine  as  one  arriving  in  midsummer. 

Resolved , That  the  adoption,  hy  the  commercial  nations,  of  a sound 
and  well-digested  code  of  marine  hygiene,  and  of  the  necessary 
measures  for  insuring  its  strict  enforcement,  would  tend  greatly  to  al- 
leviate the  evils  of  the  present  system  of  quarantine,  and  promote  the 
comfort  of  passengers  and  crew. 

Resolved , That  this  Convention  appoint  a Committee  to  consider 
and  report  in  what  manner  the  foregoing  resolutions  may  be  most 
effectually  carried  out. 

Resolved , That  the  Committee  report,  at  the  next  meeting  of  this 
Convention,  (in  Boston,  June  14,  I860,)  specific  recommendations  of 
principles  and  measures  of  quarantine,  as  severally  applicable  to  yellow 
fever,  cholera,  typhus  fever,  and  smallpox,  having  reference  also  to  the 
variations  which  different  localities  require. 

The  Committee,  to  whom  the  above  resolutions  were  referred,  have 
taken  much. pains  to  obtain  all  the  information  possible  on  the  subjects 
to  which  they  relate ; and  they  are  under  lasting  obligations  to  the 
Honorable  Lewis  Cass,  Secretary  of  State,  and  to  the  Honorable 
John  Appleton,  Assistant  Secretary  of  State,  for  the  procurement 
of  printed  copies  of  the  quarantine  regulations  of  the  principal  com- 
mercial nations ; also  to  the  Health  Officers  of  the  chief  seaports  of 
the  United  States,  for  the  health  regulations  and  ordinances  which 
have  been,  or  are  now,  in  . use  in  our  own  country.  From  these 
and  some  other  resources,  the  Committee  on  External  Hygiene  have 
had  abundant  means  for  appreciating  the  Quarantine  Regulations  of 
different  nations  and  places,  and  of  comparing  them  together  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  promise  a fair  prospect  of  presenting  a code  of  marine 
hygiene  applicable  to  all  the  varying  circumstances  of  commerce. 

The  strongest  evidence  of  human  progress  is  the  conquest  of  science 
over  error  and  superstition.  When,  in  1831,  the  cholera  left  India 
for  a tour  of  Europe,  after  having  travelled  over  the  continent  of  Asia, 
every  government  it  approached  essayed  to  put  a stop  to  its  progress 


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by  the  powers  of  quarantine.  Equally  vain  were  the  like  forces  on 
the  continent  of  America.  The  cholera  rode  over  all  quarantine 
restraints,  — bid  defiance,  to  all  such  antiquated  barriers.  About  this 
same  period  of  time,  Chervin,  the  great  student  of  yellow  fever,  was 
battling  against  the  quarantine  ordinances  of  France,  as  worse  than 
useless  for  the  protection  of  the  French  frontiers  against  this  disease ; 
and  the  triumph  of  cholera  over  the  quarantine  which  was  to  keep  out 
yellow  fever,  was  regarded  by  Chervin  as  a strong  argument  in  favor 
of  his  views  against  quarantine,  — for  the  abrogation  of  the  odious 
ordinance  of  1822.  Confidence  in  quarantine  regulations  for  the 
prevention  of  plague  was  also  forfeited  in  a great  degree  by  frequent 
recurrences  of  that  disease  in  places  the  most  rigidly  guarded,  whilst 
other  places,  exempt  from  stringent  quarantine  regulations,  were  free 
from  this  much-dreaded  disease. 

The  conquest  of  Algeria  by  the  French  placed  the  government  of 
that  country  under  the  necessity  of  reducing,  from  time  to  time,  the 
burdens  of  quarantine  which  had  been  previously  imposed,  even  when 
the  States  of  Barbary  were  free  from  the  plague.  These  reforms, 
however,  were  strenuously  opposed,  particularly  by  the  sanitary 
authorities  of  Marseilles,  who  had  been  for  a long  time  accustomed  to 
exercise  the  most  arbitrary  powers  in  this  regard  • also  by  the  Health 
authorities  of  Italy,  who  went  so  far  as  to  accuse  France  of  opening 
the  port  of  Marseilles  to  the  plague. 

In  spite  of  these  oppositions,  however,  reform  steadily  advanced. 
Two  Commissions  confided  to  M.  de  Segur  Dupeyron,  the  Inspector  of 
Quarantine,  who,  though  a contagionist,  clearly  displayed  in  his  reports 
the  vices  and  incoherences  of  the  system ; a collection  of  the  pub- 
lished opinions  of  many  men  distinguished  in  science,  by  M.  Aubert- 
Boche;  the  exemption  experienced  by  the  French  mail-boats;  and, 
finally,  the  remarkable  report  of  the  Academy  of  Medicine,  of  Paris, 
upon  the  plague  and  quarantines,  — all  concurred  in  the  propriety  of  a 
complete  reform. 

On  the  18th  of  August,  1847,  a royal  ordinance  of  France  declared 
the  first  recognition  of  truths  based  upon  the  opinions  of  medical  men, 
that  many  of  the  restrictions  of  quarantine  were  unnecessarily  burden- 
some, and  therefore  abolished.  Still  other  reforms  were  established 
by  decrees,  on  the  10th  of  August,  1849,  and  on  the  10th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1850.  But  it  was  not  enough  for  the  eminent  sanitarians  of 
France  to  have  accomplished  a reform  in  their  own  country,  and  for 
their  own  commercial  ports ; this  was  only  a beginning  of  the  work. 
They  proposed  to  show  that  it  was  to  the  interest  of  the  commerce  of 
other  nations  to  accept  the  reforms  which  they  had  effected  for  France. 
And  Dupeyron  suggested  to  the  Ministers  of  Commerce  the  idea  of  a 
Sanitary  Congress,  formed  by  delegates  from  the  divers  powers  having 
seaports  on  the  Mediterranean.  The  Government  adopted  his  opinion, 
but,  on  attempting  negotiations,  failed  in  accomplishing  its  intended 
purpose. 

In  1850,  M.  Melier,  member  of  the  consulting  committee  on  public 
hygiene,  renewed  the  proposition  of  Dupeyron,  and  with  more  success. 
Melier  submitted  a programme,  which  was  agreed  to  by  all  the  govern- 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


159 


ments  interested ; and  a convention  was  formed  by  delegates  from 
France,  England,  Austria,  Spain,  the  Two  Sicilies,  the  Roman  States, 
Greece,  Portugal,  Russia,  Sardinia,  Tuscany,  and  Turkey.  This  con- 
vention soon  after  met  in  Paris,  and,  after  long  discussion,  proposed 
an  international  code  of  quarantine  laws,  which  has  since  been  ratified 
by  the  nations  represented ; and  this  code  is  now  observed  in  all  the 
ports  of  the  Mediterranean.  Meanwhile,  the  sanitary  reform,  which 
began  in  England  about  twenty  years  ago,  under  the  provisions  of  the 
“New  Poor  Law,”  attacked  no  less  vigorously  the  ancient  fallacies  of 
quarantine,  which  had  been  in  vogue  in  that  country  since  the  Great 
Plague  of  1666.  The  General  Board  of  Health,  instituted  by  an  Act 
of  Parliament  in  1848,  persisted  in  repeated  efforts  against  the  quar- 
antine regulations,  for  plague,  cholera,  and  yellow  fever;  protesting 
that  protection  from  pestilential  disease  does  not  consist  in  quarantine 
regulations,  but  in  internal  sanitary  measures , that  is  to  say,  in 
measures  which  have  for  their  object  the  suppression  and  prevention 
of  conditions  without  which  the  diseases  regarded  as  quarantinable 
would  not  exist.  The  industry,  the  boldness,  and  the  enthusiasm  of 
Chadwick,  of  Guy,  of  Southwood  Smith,  of  Duncan,  of  Ferrier,  of 
Currie,  of  Toynbee,  of  Milroy,  and  others  of  like  stamp,  astounded 
the  United  Kingdom,  and  atonished  the  world  by  reports  which  im- 
plied accessory  murder  of  thousands  of  human  beings,  by  the  very 
authorities  whose  office  it  should  be  to  protect  them. 

The  measures  proposed  by  the  General  Board  of  Health  were  the 
destruction  of  fomites , — all  sources  of  infection  in  town  and  country ; 
sanitary  improvement  of  habitations;  a full  supply  of  wholesome 
water  and  wholesome  food,  — extending  to  the  personnel  and  materiel 
of  commerce.  — and,  finally,  if,  in  spite  of  these  precautions,  pestilence 
manifests  itself  in  any  place,  abandonment  of  the  locality  until  the 
cause  of  the  pestilence  is  found  out  and  eradicated.  These  theories, 
though  for  a long  time  silently  believed  in  by  many  physicians  of  emi- 
nence, were  now  for  the  first  time  openly  proclaimed,  and  pressed  upon 
the  authorities  as  the  only  safeguards  against  the  recurrence  of  appall- 
ing epidemics.  And  when  the  first  International  Sanitary  Convention 
met  in  Paris,  in  1850,  the  delegates  from  France  had  already  a well- 
matured  programme  as  a basis  of  discussion  ; — the  chief  feature  of 
the  Convention  was  the  abrogation  of  useless  quarantine  restrictions, 
and  the  inculcation  of  municipal  hygiene  in  their  stead. 

However  lamentable  the  devastations  of  cholera,  since  its  exodus 
from  India,  in  1831,  it  is  to  our  better  acquaintance  with  the 
habitudes  of  this  disease  that  the  commercial  world  is  indebted  for  the 
progress  already  made,  in  the  removal  of  pernicious  influence  to 
health,  and  restrictions  burdensome  to  commerce  and  navigation. 
Quarantine  reform  has  been  a prominent  feature  in  the  sanitary 
improvement  of  Europe  for  nearly  thirty  years,  and  it  is  with  chagrin 
that  your  Committee  on  External  Hygiene,  after  diligent  investigation, 
finds  that  the  quarantine  regulations  of  the  United  States  are  nearly 
identical  with  the  most  odious  restrictions  of  Europe  thirty  years  ago. 
They  are,  in  effect,  the  same  laws  as  those  imposed  by  England,  in 
colonial  times,  for  the  protection  of  America  from  “ plague  or  other 


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malignant  distempers,”  and  in  several  of  the  States  it  yet  remains  an 
indictable  offence,  with  a large  penalty,  for  any  person  to  come  into  the 
State  from  any  place  infected  with  contagious  disease.  The  quaran- 
tine laws  still  presume  that  certain  diseases  are  communicable  from  the 
sick  to  the  well,  under  all  circumstances,  and  that  such  diseases  are 
capable  of  being  transmitted  to  new  and  distant  localities,  independent 
of  all  conditions.  They  also  presume  that  the  germs  of  all  diseases 
regarded  by  quarantine  officials  as  contagious  or  infectious,  may 
lie  dormant  in  the  systems  of  persons  who  are  apparently  well, 
but  who  may  afterwards  sicken,  and  then  become  the  radiating  centres 
of  infection.  Based  upon  these  conclusions,  the  time  and  duration  of 
Quarantine  pretend  to  depend  upon  the  real  or  suspected  presence  of 
the  apprehended  disease,  in  the  personnel  of  any  vessel  during  the 
voyage  and  at  the  time  of  arrival,  the  kind  of  cargo,  and  whether  there 
has  been  any  communication  with  other  vessels,  persons,  or  things, 
during  the  voyage.  These  requirements,  however,  are  of  short  dura- 
tion, and  usually  limited  to  the  warm  season  of  the  year.  This  resume 
is  a fair  representation  of  the  Quarantine  regulations  of  the  United 
States,  while  there  are  no  exceptions  to  the  incongruities  herein  stated. 

It  has  been  justly  remarked  by  McCulloch,  in  his  Commercial  Dic- 
tionary, that  u the  complaints  of  quarantine  grievances  and  oppressions 
are  almost  wholly  occasioned  by  want  of  proper  facilities  for  its  per- 
formance.” But,  while  we  may  properly  admit  the  truth  of  this 
assertion,  as  applicable  especially  to  the  view  which  commercial  men 
must  naturally  take  of  this  subject,  we  think  it  must  appear  to  scien- 
tific observers  that  the  defective  facilities  to  which  McCulloch  has 
referred  are  mainly  owing  to  the  prevailing  indefiniteness  of  opinions 
and  official  practices  relating  to  quarantine  and  to  febrile  infections. 
As  medical  men,  therefore,  your  Committee  frankly  acknowledge  that 
the  medical  profession,  and  quarantine  officers  themselves,  are  partly 
responsible  for  the  defects  of  our  external  sanitary  defences. 

Before  enumerating  the  points  which  we  believe  to  be  essential  to 
the  provision  and  perfection  of  the  external  sanitary  system  of  mari- 
time cities  and  large  commercial  towns,  your  Committee  would  briefly 
note  the  special  defects  and  wants  that  are  acknowledged  to  exist  in 
all,  or  at  least  most,  of  the  ports  in  the  civilized  world. 

I.  THE  DEFECTS  THAT  RELATE  TO  THE  SICK  AND  TO  SANITARY 

PROTECTION. 

» 

II.  THE  DEFICIENCIES  THAT  RELATE  TO  COMMERCIAL  TRANSAC- 

TIONS AND  PUBLIC  CONVENIENCE. 

Under  the  first  head  are  included  : 1st.  Hospitals, — their  location, 
construction,  and  fitness ; the  facilities  for  the  reception,  distribution, 
and  care  of  the  patients.  2d.  The  construction  and  management  of 
docks  and  warehouses  for  quarantine  purposes,  with  reference  to  sani- 
tary protection. 

Under  the  second  head  we  enumerate  : 1st.  The  needless  delay  of 
vessels.  2d.  The  unnecessary  detention  of  cargoes.  3d.  the  damage 
to  such  cargoes  and  vessels  at  Quarantine.  4th.  The  inconvenience 
and  expense  of  lighterage.  5th.  Loss  of  time  and  the  use  of  vessels. 


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161 


As  all  these  points  under  the  second  head  are  connected  with  the 
general  question  of  quarantine  docks  and  warehouses, — their  location, 
capacity,  and  special  adaptation, — it  is  manifestly  right,  and  eminent- 
ly proper,  that  the  interests  and  requirements  of  commerce  should  be 
provided  for,  and  made  perfectly 'consistent  and  harmonious  with  all 
the  conditions  and  provisions  which  are  necessary  for  the  protection  of 
the  public  health.  These  points  include  the  grounds  upon  which  ob- 
jections are  made  respecting  deficient  facilities  as  well  as  burdensome 
restrictions  of  quarantine  establishments.  We  propose  to  make  a fair 
and  full  statement  of  the  points,  without  attempting  their  discussion. 
But  we  feel  warranted  in  making  the  following  general  statement,  in- 
volving all  these  points  incidentally,  and  at  the  same  time  affirming 
what  is  conceded  to  be  necessary  to  the  arrangement  of  a quarantine 
establishment. 


i.  — the  SICK. 

Humanity  and  public  policy  alike  demand  that,  wherever  there  is  a 
quarantine  establishment,  or  wherever  and  whenever  there  is  any  de- 
tention of  vessels  and  the  sick,  in  the  nature  of  quarantine,  there,  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  quarantine  anchorage,  should  be  pro- 
vided ample  facilities  for  the  proper  care  of  all  such  cases  of  disease 
as  may  not,  with  safety  to  the  public  and  to  the  patients,  be  removed 
to  more  suitable  places. 

The  nature  and  extent  of  hospital  provisions  required  at  any 
quarantine  station  must  be  in  no  small  measure  dependent  upon  the 
nature  and  extent  of  hospitals,  and  the  internal  sanitary  arrangements 
of  the  city  or  place  requiring  a quarantine  establishment. 

For  the  welfare  of  the  sick  it  is  required  that  the  location  of  the 
hospitals  should  be  within  a convenient  distance  of  the  quarantine 
station,  and  that  the  facilities  of  access  to  them  from  the  quarantine 
anchorage  be  such  as  to  secure  the  greatest  safety  to  the  sick,  and  the 
least  danger  to  the  public ) and  lastly,  such  location,  distribution,  and 
special  management  of  the  sick,  as  shall  prevent  the  general  contami- 
nation of  the  hospital  in  which  they  may  be  placed  for  treatment,  and 
also  preclude  liability  to  any  dangerous  exposure  to  subsequent  infec- 
tion, or  to  any  other  unhealthy  influences. 

Both  the  public  safety  and  the  welfare  of  the  sick  in  hospitals, 
require  that  effectual  provisions  be  made  for  the  immediate  and 
thorough  disinfection  of  all  baggage  and  personal  clothing  liable  to 
infection. 


II.  — QUARANTINE  DOCKS  AND  WAREHOUSES. 

If  it  is  admitted  that  the  security  of  the  public  health  against  cer- 
tain diseases  demands  the  protracted  detention  or  exclusion  of  vessels 
or  cargoes  that  are  liable  to  convey  and  propagate  those  diseases,  then 
it  may  justly  be  claimed  that  the  interests  of  commerce  require  special 

21 


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National  Quarantine  Convention. 


docks  and  warehouses  for  that  class  of  quarantined  vessels  and  car- 
goes, while  experience  has  fully  demonstrated  the  great  importance  of 
such  special  facilities,  no  less  for  public  safety  than  for  commercial 
convenience. 

To  illustrate  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  deficiencies  of  quarantine 
establishments,  we  would  refer  to  the  statements  on  this  subject  as 
embodied  in  the  Report  on  External  Hygiene,  adopted  by  this  Con- 
vention last  year.*  We  would  also  mention  the  testimony  given  on 
the  same  subject,  particularly  as  regards  deficient  provisions  for  the 
sick,  by  the  British  Quarantine  Commissioners,  in  their  First  Report.*!* 
And  in  regard  to  the  testimony  respecting  those  special  deficiencies 
that  embarrass  commerce  and  incommode  the  public,  it  is  painfully 
evident  that  the  judicious  author  of  the  Commercial  Dictionary  speaks 
truly  when  he  asserts  that,  were  the  proper  facilities  afforded  to 
enable  merchants  and  others  to  comply  with  quarantine  and  all  needed 
external  health  regulations,  “ the  burdens  it  (quarantine)  imposes 
would  be  comparatively  light,  and  we  do  not  know  that  many  more 
important  services  could  be  rendered  to  the  country  than  by  construct- 
ing a proper  quarantine  establishment.”  Continuing  his  remarks  on 
this  subject,  Mr.  McCulloch  states  “ there  is  not  on  the  Thames  a 
lazaretto  where  a ship  from  a suspected  place  may  discharge  her 
cargo  and  refit,  so  that  it  is  detained,  frequently  at  an  enormous 
expense,  during  the  whole  period  of  quarantine.” 

This  statement,  which  applies  to  ports  that  less  than  almost  any 
other  large  maritime  cities  require  such  special  external  sanitary 
provisions,  has  been  strongly  corroborated  by  the  testimony  of  boards 
of  trade  and  chambers  of  commerce  in  the  principal  ports  of  both 
America  and  Europe. 

As  respects  medical  and  official  testimony,  generally,  we  find  none 
more  decided  than  that  adopted  by  this  Convention  at  its  last  session, 
in  answer  to  the  question,  u What  reforms  are  required  to  make 
quarantines  more  efficient  and  less  burdensome  ? ” In  that  report  it 
is  stated  that  “ we  must  be  prepared  to  denounce,  as  worse  than  use- 
less, every  system  of  quarantine  which,  either  from  incorrectness  of 
the  principles  upon  which  it  is  founded,  or  from  the  careless  and  ineffi- 
cient manner  in  which  it  is  executed,  as  inadequate  to  guard  the  com- 
munity against  the  introduction  of  disease  from  a'broad.” 

The  Quarantine  Commissioners  of  Great  Britain,  in  their  first  report 
to  the  General  Board  of' Health,  in  1848,  concisely  sum  up  the  defi- 
ciencies and  objections  of  British  quarantines,  by  stating  that  “ the 
Quarantine  establishments  of  this  and  every  other  country,  of  which 
we  have  information,  are  wholly  insufficient , even  on  the  assumption 
on  which  they  have  hitherto  been  maintained,  to  prevent  the  introduc- 
tion and  spread  of  diseases. 

“ That  these  establishments  are  of  a character  calculated  to  inflict 
on  passengers  extreme  and  unnecessary  inconvenience,  and  to  sub- 


* See  Report  of  Convention,  1859,  pp.  321,  322,  et  seq. 

f See  First  Report  of  the  Quarantine  Commissioners  to  the  General  Board  of  Health  of 
Great  Britain,  pp.  73-76. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


163 


ject  such  of  them  as  may  be  sick  to  increased  suffering  and  danger, 
while  they  maintain  false  securities  in  relation  to  the  means  of  pre- 
venting the  spread  of  disease.” 

(By  vote  of  the  Convention,  it  was  resolved  u that  the  Report  of 
the  Committee  upon  the  Utility  of  Wet  Docks  in  Connection  with 
Quarantines  be  referred  to  the  Committee  on  External  Hygiene, 
with  powers.”) 

“ The  Committee  to  whom,  at  the  Third  National  Quarantine  and 
Sanitary  Convention,  the  Resolution,  that  a Committee  be  appointed  to 
inquire  into  the  propriety  and  usefulness  of  enclosed  wet  docks  on  the 
Atlantic  coast  and  Gulf  of  Mexico,  together  with  the  requisite 
Lazaretto  for  the  protection  of  vessels  and  merchandise,  and  the 
care  of  the  sick  subject  to  Quarantine,  the  same  to  be  placed  under 
the  charge  and  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,”  was  referred,  in 
presenting  their  Report,  beg  leave  to  premise  that  — 

Whereas,  The  statements  which  will  appear  in  the  sequel  have 
been  in  a great  measure  derived  from  personal  observation,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  allude  very  frequently  to  the  Quarantine  at  New 
York,  as  it  is  not  improbable  that  many  of  the  defects  in  that 
establishment  have  existed  in  others  of  a similar  kind,  and  should 
no  appropriate  measures  be  adopted  to  obviate  them,  may  appear 
again. 

Since  the  organization  of  Quarantines,  we  will  venture  to  say 
that  in  no  part  of  the  globe,  in  an  equal  space  of  time,  have  so 
many  sick  persons  been  admitted  into  a Quarantine  Hospital,  or 
Lazaretto,  as  there  "have  been  into  the  Marine  Hospital  at  New  York. 

According  to  the  report  of  Dr.  Bissell,  an  ex-physician-in-chief  of 
the  Marine  Hospital,  to  the  Legislature  of  New  York,  for  the  year 
1857,  there  were  admitted  into  said  Hospital,  from  the  year  1798  to 
1857,  inclusively,  a period  of  sixty  years,  72,595  patients,  of  which 
number  10,493,  a seventh  part,  died.  During  the  period  embraced 
by  the  years  1848  and  1853,  at  which  time  the  Reporter  was  one  of 
the  physicians  of  this  hospital,  35,690  of  the  above  aggregate  were 
admitted,  — nearly  one  half  of  the  whole  number  in  one  tenth  part  of 
the  time.  Hence  he  has  had  an  unusual  opportunity  of  witnessing 
much  of  the  inconvenience  and  suffering,  as  well  as  many  of  the 
defects  of  a Quarantine  establishment,  some  of  which  will  be  presented 
in  the  sequel. 

In  order  fully  to  appreciate  the  wants  of  a Quarantine  establish- 
ment, it  is  necessary  to  have  been  a spectator  of  some  of  its  woes. 
In  reading  the  history  of  Quarantines  as  they  have  existed  in  various 
parts  of  the  world,  as  well  as  legislative  and  other  reports  and  com- 
munications relating  thereunto,  the  paramount  and  almost  exclusive 
subjects  of  inquiry  have  been,  How  shall  we  protect  our  citizens 
against  the  invasion  of  pestilential  disease  ? How  can  we  lighten  the 
burdens  which  Quarantines  impose  upon  commerce  ? The  speeding 
of  the  weary  voyager  and  the  care  of  the  sick  being  regarded  as  of 
minor  importance,  too  often  is  the  poor  squalid  immigrant,  as  he  is 
frequently  called,  shunned,  loathed,  and,  if  sick,  even  viewed  as  a 


164 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


culprit.  We  are  not  apt  to  appreciate  their  miseries,  destitute,  home- 
less as  they  are ; fleeing  from  famine  and  oppression  abroad  ; long  pent 
up  in  the  hold  of  an  ill-ventilated  vessel ; their  sickness  their  misfor- 
tune, not  their  fault. 

The  following  incident,  related  by  the  General  Board  of  Health,  in 
their  Report  to  the  British  Parliament  in  1849,  presents  but  a faint 
idea  of  the  feelings  of  many  who,  when  almost  touching  their  desired 
haven,  are  arrested  at  Quarantine. 

A young  unmarried  lady,  who  arrived  in  a steamer  from  Hamburg,  and 
was  stopped  at  Quarantine  in  the  Thames,  thus  writes  : — 

“ It  is  all  very  well  to  say,  ‘ Don’t  be  afraid  of  the  Cholera,’  but  those  who 
have  seen  what  I have  in  the  last  few  days,  will  feel  differently.  On  arriv- 
ing at  Gravesend,  a custom-house  officer  came  alongside,  and  told  the  cap- 
tain that  the  ship  must  be  kept  at  Quarantine,  and  that  if  he  allowed  any  of 
the  passengers  or  crew  to  land  he  might  be  shot.  They  then  took  away  our 
letters  without  coming  on  board,  and  said  they  would  send  every  day  for 
our  letters.  You  can  imagine  our  consternation  and  alarm ; and  then  the 
horrid  yellow  flag  ! and  we  were  told  if  any  one  were  taken  ill  or  died,  we 
should  be  detained,  I know  not  how  long  ! Another  ship  was  near  us,  also 
in  Quarantine,  and  with  a sailor  in  it  who  had  died.  Soon,  we  saw  this  ship 
moving  slowly  down  the  river  to  the  Nore,  that  the  body  might  be  committed 
to  the  deep.  Although  it  rained  in  torrents,  we  saw  all  the  passengers 
standing  on  the  deck,  as  they  were  afraid  to  go  below  for  fear  of  the 
Cholera.  If  you  could  have  seen  that  melancholy  sight ! I shall  never 
forget  it.  Need  I endeavor  to  paint  to  you  our  feelings,  not  knowing  how 
soon  we  might  be  in  the  same  sad  predicament.  How  we  counted  the  hours, 
and  how  we  rejoiced  when  the  welcome  news  reached  us  that  we  might  land 
once  more  in  England  ! ” 

If  sucb  be  the  feelings  of  a passenger  while  in  health,  how  sad 
must  be  the  condition  of  the  friendless,  destitute  stranger  when  struck 
down  by  a formidable  malady  ? Having  left  his  home  with  most  san- 
guine hopes  of  reaching  a happy  land,  where  he  expects  to  enjoy  that 
liberty  and  the  facility  for  acquiring  property  which  are  less  liberally 
granted  in  his  native  country;  just  as  he  is  on  the  point  of  reaching 
his  destined  haven,  he  is  seized  with  a contagious  disease,  the  Quar- 
antine arrests  his  further  progress,  and  his  fond  hopes  are  well-nigh 
blasted  ! Does  not  such  a forlorn  stranger  demand  our  commiseration, 
solicitude,  and  our  best  services?  Health  and  life  are  as  precious  to 
him  as  they  are  to  us,  and  in  his  desolate,  helpless  state,  far  from  the 
solace  and  sympathy  of#  near  and  dear  friends,  surrounded  by  strange 
faces,  his  heart  sinks,  and  he  requires  our  kindest  and  best  efforts  to 
rouse  his  drooping  spirits  and  cheer  him  up  to  health.  But  what  is 
the  first  step  towards  the  alleviation  of  his.  sufferings?  The  ship  has 
dropped  anchor  at  Quarantine.  The  Health  Officer  is  on  board.  The 
vessel  may  be  a mile  or  more  from  the  landing-place.  Are  there  any 
sick  passengers  on  board  ? If  so,  a signal  from  one  of  the  boatmen 
communicates  the  intelligence  to  the  shore,  and  immediately  one  or 
more  boats  put  off  to  the  ship  to  bring  the  sick  to  land.  Now  it  is  the 
method  of  landing  the  sick,  which  was  generally  adopted  while  the 
writer  was  stationed  at  Quarantine,  together  with  the  examination  of 
the  philanthropic  Dr.  Howard’s  plate  of  the  Lazaretto  San  Lcopoldo 


National  Quarantine  Convention * 


165 


at  Leghorn,  that  suggested  to  his  mind  the  great  benefits  which  would 
accrue  were  Wet  Docks  constructed,  if  only  for  the  purpose  of  alle- 
viating the  sufferings  which  attended  the  method  of  landing  the  sick 
at  the  S.  I.  Quarantine.  According  to  the  plan  of  the  Lazaretto  San 
Leopoldo,  there  is  a dock  almost  entirely  inclosed,  but  without  any 
lock,  into  which  vessels  detained  at  Quarantine  enter,  and  are  safely 
moored.  The  vessel  in  the  first  place  proceeds  to  the  remote  extremity 
of  the  dock,  where  the  sick  and  other  passengers  are  landed  directly 
from  the  vessel,  from  which  they  are  conducted  or  conveyed,  and  we 
presume  as  gently  as  possible,  by  an  ambulance,  sedan,  or  rail-car,  when, 
too  ill  or  feeble  to  walk,  to  their  appropriate  ward  or  tenement.  The 
passengers  being  landed,  the  vessel  is  hauled  alongside  the  wharf,  on 
which  piazzas  or  warehouses  are  erected  for  the  reception  of  cargo, 
and  its  expurgation. 

It  very  often  happens, — indeed,  it  is  most  frequently  the  case, — 
that  emigrant  packet-ships  arrive  in  our  port  during  the  prevalence  of 
easterly  winds,  and  in  stormy  weather.  Masters  of  vessels  are  gene- 
rally impatient  of  delay,  and  anxious  to  get  rid  of  their  sick,  that  they 
may  proceed  to  the  pier  in  the  city  as  quickly  as  possible.  While, 
then,  the  Health  Officer  is  on  board  inspecting  the  passengers,  or  soon 
after  he  leaves  the  vessel,  the  sick  are  brought  up  from  between  decks, 
lifted  over  the  side,  and  carried  down  a vibrating  ladder  some  twenty 
feet  long,  into  the  boat  below.  (We  judge  the  distance  to  be  at  least 
twenty  feet,  many  of  these  ships  being  from  twelve  to  fifteen  hundred 
tons'  burden,  and  rising  very  high  above  the  surface  of  the  water.) 
The  sick  are  then  rowed  to  land,  sometimes  thinly  clad,  oftentimes 
through  rain,  or  sleet,  or  snow,  at  the  risk  of  extinguishing  the  linger- 
ing spark  of  life,  which  by  greater  care  might  have  been  fostered  and 
revived.  Frequently  are  they  landed  wet  to  the  skin  and  chilled  to 
the  bone,  and  even  in  a hopeless  moribund  condition. 

Dr.  F.  Campbell  Stewart,  an  ex-physician  of  the  Marine  Hospital, 
N.  Y.,  in  his  Report  to  the  Legislature  of  New  York,  March  25,  1860, 
says : “ The  condition  of  the  sick  sent  on  shore  from  on  board  of 
ships,  is  sometimes  deplorable.  They  often  die  in  a few  hours  after 
admission,  and  occasionally  in  the  boats  in  which  they  are  landed,  or 
as  they  leave  the  vessel." 

Besides,  the  sick  are  frequently  landed  in  a hurry,  and  consequently 
more  or  less  roughly.  We  have  known  as  many  as  one  hundred  and 
fifteen  sick  persons,  in  various  stages  of  disease,  landed  in  the  space 
of  twelve  or  fourteen  hours,  and  as  many  as  two  hundred  and  fifty-nine 
patients,  most  of  whom  had  Ship  Fever,  brought  from  on  board  of  one 
vessel.  (The  latter  werq  from  the  Penelope  in  1801,  when  a great 
many  cases  of  this  disease  were  admitted  from  several  vessels  into 
Marine  Hospital.) 

The  packet-ship  Great  Western,  from  Liverpool,  of  1,443  tons' 
burden,  anchored  at  Quarantine  on  the  14th  of  January,  1852.  It 
was  very  stormy  weather.  Her  complement  of  passengers  was  791, 
sixty  of  whom  were  brought  on  shore  with  Ship  Fever,  and  fifty-five 
doubtful  cases,  in  whom  it  was  apprehended  this  disease  would  soon 
be  developed.  Dr.  Doane,  the  Health  Officer,  labored  hard  all  day  in 


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National  Quarantine  Convention , 


assisting  the  sick  on  shore,  and  without  sufficient  nourishment,  until 
ten  o’clock  at  night.  Wet  and  weary  he  went  home.  On  the  next 
day  he  was  taken  ill,  and  died  from  Petechial  Typhus  on  the  27th  of 
January.  So  sure  as  effect  follows  adequate  cause,  doubtless  had  a 
plan  similar  to  that  of  landing  sick  passengers  at  the  San  Lorenzo 
Hospital  been  established,  the  life  of  this  humane,  learned,  faithful, 
and  indefatigable  physician  would  not  have  been  sacrificed  on  this 
occasion. 

We  shall  recur  to  the  sick  under  the  second  part  of  the  Resolution. 

In  the  construction  and  equipment  of  a Quarantine  establishment, 
in  addition  to  precautionary  measures  against  the  introduction  of  con- 
tagious diseases  of  a malignant  character  by  the  seaboard,  not  only 
every  needless  impediment  to  commerce  should  be  avoided  so  far  as  is 
compatible  with  the  prime  object  in  view,  but  every  facility  should  be 
afforded  for  the  speedy  release  of  vessels  from  quarantial  restraint,  as 
well  as  for  the  protection  of  property  detained  at  Quarantine. 

“There  is  not  on  the  Thames,”  says  Mr.  McCullough  in  his  Dic- 
tionary on  Commerce,  u a Lazaretto  where  a ship  from  a suspected 
place  may  discharge  cargo  and  refit,  so  that  it  is  detained  frequently  at 
an  enormous  expense  during  the  whole  period  of  Quarantine,  while,  if 
she  had  perishable  goods  on  board,  they  may  be  materially  injured. 
The  complaints  of  Quarantine  grievances  and  oppressions  are  almost 
wholly  occasioned  by  the  want  of  proper  facilities  for  its  performance. 
Were  these  afforded,  the  burdens  it  imposes  would  be  comparatively 
light,  and  we  do  not  know  that  any  more  important  service  could  be 
rendered  the  country  than  by  constructing  a proper  Quarantine  estab- 
lishment.” 

Again,  in  examining  again  the  plan  of  the  Lazaretto  San  Leopoldo, 
as  represented  by  Dr.  John  Howard,  in  his  “ Account  of  the  Principal 
Lazarettos  in  Europe,”  2d  ed.,  4°.  London,  1791,  we  were  forcibly 
impressed  with  the  superior  advantages  which  would  be  derived  from 
suitable  Wet  Docks,  in  which  vessels  might  be  securely  moored  during 
their  Quarantine  ordeal.  Such  docks  should  be  water-tight,  closed  by 
locks,  which  would  readily  admit  the  ingress  and  egress  of  vessels  in 
compliance  with  the  orders  of  the  Health  Officer. 

Judging  from  what  we  have  observed  in  New  York  Bay,  the  lower 
bay  especially,  of  the  uneasy  manner  in  which  vessels  ride  at  anchor, 
rolling  and  tossed  to  and  fro  by  the  turbulent  billows,  even  under  a 
moderate  breeze,  and  tlie  danger  to  which  such  vessels  are  exposed 
during  tempestuous  weather,  the  difficulty  and  risk  of  transshipping 
their  cargoes  into  lighters  alongside,  we  have  thought  that  such  docks 
would  afford  adequate  protection  to  vessels  against  the  violence  of 
storms ; secure  their  merchandise  from  plunder  and  accidental  loss ; 
expedite  the  introduction  of  goods  into  the  market ; and  even  allow 
foul  vessels  to  receive  their  return  cargoes  and  clear  out  to  sea  should 
the  difficulty  of  expurgating  them  deter  their  approach  to  the  city. 
The  vessel,  having  entered  the  dock,  might  proceed  immediately  to 
the  place  appointed  for  landing  the  sick  and  other  detained  passen- 
gers, which  being  done,  she  might  be  hauled  alongside  the  wharf,  on 
which  piazzas  and  warehouses  have  been  erected  for  the  reception  and 


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167 


purification  of  the  cargo.  When  merely  ventilation,  drying,  and 
cleansing  the  interior  of  packages  are  deemed  necessary,  inasmuch  as 
this  would  require  only  a brief  detention,  piazzas  should  be  preferred  ; 
but  when  the  cargo  requires  a protracted  detention,  warehouses,  on 
account  of  the  security  they  afford,  would  be  most  suitable.  Bal- 
last as  well  as  cargo,  being  discharged,  the  vessel  should  be  cast 
off  and  anchored  in  the  centre  of  the  basin,  there  to  be  expur- 
gated, after  which  she  might  be  permitted  to  proceed  to  the  city, 
or  place  of  destination,  or  to  an  export  dock  adjacent,  for  the 
reception  of  goods  brought  down  in  lighters,  obtain  her  Custom-House 
clearance,  and  put  off  to  sea  with  her  return  cargo. 

If  everything  were  removed  from  the  vessel,  it  would  occupy  but  a 
few  days  to  purify  and  cleanse  her,  unless  she  should  be  very  foul , in 
which  case  she  should  be  floated  into  a dry  dock  in  proximity  with  the 
wet  dock,  for  more  thorough  expurgation.  We  venture  to  suggest 
such  a structure  as  a dry  dock  for  raising  vessels  completely  out  of  the 
water,  in  order  that  they  may  be  thoroughly  overhauled  and  every- 
thing pernicious  ejected ; but  blacks  only,  or  those  who  have  had 
the  Yellow  Fever,  should  be  employed  in  cleansing  them. 

On  this  topic  we  beg  leave  to  digress,  as  we  consider  a dry  dock  to 
be  a very  important  appendage  to  a Quarantine  establishment. 

The  great  mortality  which  has  been  produced  by  Yellow  Fever  on 
board  of  foul  ships,  whether  this  disease  has  originated  spontaneously 
or  from  some  external  source,  has  given  rise  to  numerous  inventions 
for  their  expurgation.  Hundreds  of  persons,  especially  on  board  of 
men-of-war,  have  been  attacked  with  Yellow  Fever,  attended  with 
great  mortality,  in  consequence  of  inhaling  the  morbid  exhalations 
from  a ship’s  hold  • hence,  no  pecuniary  consideration  should  be  per- 
mitted to  operate  against  the  employment  of  any  plausible  means,  cal- 
culated to  prevent  their  elimination,  to  expel  or  destroy  them.  Fumi- 
gants, disinfectants,  and  deodorants  have  disappointed  the  expectations 
of  those  who  have  confided  in  them.  The  pumping  out  of  bilge-water 
and  drenching  the  hold  with  salt  water  have  often  proved  inefficient ; 
and  even  freezing  mixtures  only  lock  up  the  miasm  for  the  time  being, 
without  altering  its  nature,  and  afterwards  leave  the  vessel  in  an 
unhealthy  state  of  humidity,  with  increase  of  filthiness.  They  are 
evanescent.  The  most  offensive  smells  are  by  no  means  the  most  per- 
nicious. They  warn  us  of  danger,  and  compel  us  to  resort  to  ventila- 
tion for  their  expulsion.  The  most  deadly  miasms  are  imperceptible 
by  the  senses,  and  indetectable  by  chemical  tests,  (unless  it  be  the  air 
test  of  Hr.  Angus  Smith,  spoken  of  by  Miss  Florence  Nightingale, 
which  we  have  not  seen,)  and  are  produced  by  the  action  of  moisture 
gradually,  but  persistingly  decomposing  the  planks  and  timber  of  the 
vessel.  We  can  get  rid  of  bilge-water  by  pumping  it  out,  and  its 
smell  by  flooding  the  vessel ; but  the  moisture  remains,  though 
pumped  ever  so  dry,  causing  mustiness  and  mouldiness,  and  the 
development  from  the  fabric  of  the  vessel  of  a pernicious  febrile 
miasm,  similar  to  that  evolved  from  external  vegetable  decomposition, 
but  rendered  more  virulent  by  concentration  in  the  close,  ill-ventilated 
hold  of  the  vessel.  Cleanse  and  ventilate  as  much  as  you  may; 


l&S  National  Quarantine  Convention . 

while  humidity  exists,  the  morbid  exhalations  will  persist.  Dryness, 
therefore,  is  essential  to  thorough  expurgation.  While  the  hold  of  the 
vessel  is  sunk  below  the  surface  of  the  water,  this  can  scarcely  be 
accomplished  ) but  elevated  on  a dry  dock,  it  would  be,  completely  and 
expeditiously. 

To  show  the  importance  of  dryness  in  overcoming  pernicious  exha- 
lations, the  ship  Regalia,  which  sailed  from  the  coast  of  Africa  in 
1815,  with  black  recruits,  affords  evidence.  This  vessel,  while  on 
the  coast,  took  on  board  a large  quantity  of  green  wood  ; her  ballast 
was  what  is  called  shingle  ballast , composed  of  small  stones,  with  a 
-considerable  mixture  of  mud  and  other  impurities ; besides  which,  the 
ship  was  leaky,  and  the  water-casks  leaked.  After  she  got  to  sea  the 
Yellow  Fever  broke  out,  and  all  hands  on  board  except  the  blacks 
were  attacked  therewith.  After  the  ship  arrived  at  Barbadoes  she 
was  cleansed  and  ventilated,  notwithstanding  which  the  disease  con- 
tinued until  the  hold  had  been  exposed  for  a time  to  the  concentrated 
heat  of  many  stoves,  after  which  it  ceased,  the  moisture  having  evap- 
orated. 

But  on  this  topic  we  cannot  dwell,  and  must  therefore  beg  leave  to 
refer  to  Dr.  R.  La  Roche’s  elaborate  and  valuable  Treatise  on  Yellow 
Fever,  vol.  ii.  chap,  xxii.,  where  the  causes  of  Yellow  Fever  on  ship- 
board, and  the  different  methods  adopted  for  expurgation,  are  fully 
detailed. 

In  our  opinion,  the  principal,  if  not  the  sole  means  upon  which  we 
can  rely  for  the  thorough  expurgation  of  a foul  ship,  are  ventilation, 
cleansing,  and  the  drying  process,  all  of  which  can  be  most  effectually 
performed  while  the  vessel  is  exposed  on  a dry  dock  to  the  heat  of  the 
sun,  at  the  same  time  that  she  is  undergoing  the  necessary  repairs,  after 
which  the  timber,  planks,  and  other  wood-work  of  the  vessel  should  be 
coated  internally  with  a composition  impervious  to  water , and  incom- 
bustible. 

With  regard  to  vessels  of  war  with  ordnance  on  board,  the  difficulty 
and  expense  of  raising  them  upon  a dry  dock  would  be  too  great  for  a 
Quarantine  establishment.  Such  vessels,  after  landing  their  sick, 
should  steer  for  the  frigid  zone  and  clean  up  there. 

To  resume : The  protection  which  Wet  Docks  afford  to  vessels  in 
Quarantine  is  not  limited  to  the  dangers  which  may  accrue  from  stormy 
weather  while  riding  at  anchor  in  an  open  bay  or  roadstead.  Such 
docks  being,  as  it  wer^,  insulated,  are  more  easily  guarded  against  de- 
predations of  every  kind,  whether  the  cargo  still  remains  in  bulk,  oris 
in  process  of  unlading.  “Previously  to  the  construction  of  Wet  Docks 
on  the  Thames,  the  property  annually  pillaged  from  vessels  was 
estimated  to  amount  to  £500,000  sterling,”  though  Mr.  McCullough, 
from  whom  we  quote,  thinks  this  estimate  to  be  somewhat  exaggerated. 
Dr.  Bissell,  ex-physician-in-chief  of  Marine  Hospital,  in  his  Report 
for  1857,  to  the  New  York  Legislature,  states  “ For  years  past,  and 
until  the  organization  of  the  metropolitan  police,  there  was  no  protec- 
tion to  the  property  of  importers  and  ship-owners  arriving  in  the  city 
of  New  York.  Burglary  and  larceny  were  perpetrated  by  thieves  and 
robbers  at  pleasure,  and  with  almost  perfect  impunity ; and  if  the 


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169 


losses  of  our  commercial  men  in  this  respect  could  be  named,  the 
amount  would  be  startling.  These  depredations  were  committed  by- 
emigrant  runners  and  boatmen  at  large,  who  are  constantly  on  the 
alert  to  prey  upon  vessels,  cargoes,  and  passengers,  by  day  as  well  as 
by  night,  while  these  vessels  are  lying  at  anchor,  requiring  a large  and 
vigilant  police  force  to  prevent  such  depredations.” 

That  the  construction  of  Wet  Docks  has  done  much  to  attract  and 
facilitate  commerce,  is  an  historical  fact.  “ The  first  Wet  Dock  in 
Great  Britain  was  constructed  in  Liverpool  about  the  year  1708,  at 
which  time  Liverpool  was  but  an  inconsiderable  town.  This,  how- 
ever, was  the  commencement  of  her  commercial  importance  ; and  the 
accommodation  afforded  by  her  Wet  Docks  is  one  of  the  circumstances 
that  has  most  strongly  conduced  to  her  extraordinary  increase  in 
population,  commerce,  and  wealth.”  The  Liverpool  Docks  now 
enclose  an  area  of  ninety  acres  of  water. 

The  West  India  Docks  were  the  first  constructed  on  the  Thames.  They 
were  commenced  in  February,  1800,  and  partially  opened  in  1802.  The 
Export  Dock  is  eight  hundred  and  seventy  yards  long  by  one  hundred  and 
thirty-five  wide.  Its  area  about  twenty-five  acres.  The  Import  Dock  is  of 
equal  length,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty-six  yards  wide.  The  South  Dock, 
which  is  appropriated  to  both  import  and  export  vessels,  is  one  thousand  one 
hundred  and  eighty-three  yards  long ; the  locks  at  each  end  are  forty-five 
feet  wide,  large  enough  to  admit  of  vessels  of  one  thousand  two  hundred 
tons.  At  the  highest  tides  the  depth  of  water  in  the  docks  is  twenty-four 
feet,  and  the  whole  will  contain  with  ease  six  hundred  vessels  of  from  two 
hundred  and  fifty  to  five  hundred  tons.  There  are  other  docks  pertaining 
to  this  department,  which,  together  with  the  above  and  the  warehouses, 
comprise  an  area  of  two  hundred  and  ninety-five  acres. 

This  spacious  and  magnificent  structure  was  formed  by  subscription, 
and  vested  in  the  West  India  Dock  Company,  their  capital  being 
£1,380,000  sterling,  and  has  proved  a profitable  as  well  as  beneficial 
investment.  In  addition,  there  are  on  the  Thames,  the  East  India, 
London,  and  St.  Catharine’s  Docks.  For  further  information  on  this 
subject,  we  refer  to  McCullough’s  Commercial  Dictionary.  But  these 
docks  are  on  a much  more  extensive  scale  than  is  needed  for  quaran- 
tine purposes.  Being  intended  chiefly  for  yellow-fever  vessels,  a 
dock  capable  of  accommodating  thirty  or  forty  vessels  at  a time  would 
be  sufficiently  capacious,  for,  after  discharging  cargo,  they  would  haul 
off  to  the  middle  of  the  basin  for  expurgation. 

That  docks  of  such  moderate  dimensions  would  answer  every  need- 
ful purpose,  we  judge  from  the  number  of  vessels  which  arrive  from 
ports  where  yellow  fever  prevails  during  the  quarantine  season.  Dr. 
Whiting,  ex-Health  Officer,  in  his  testimony  before  a Committee  of 
the  Legislature,  stated  that  the  number  of  sickly  vessels,  with  yellow 
fever  on  board,  from  the  13th  of  March,  1848,  until  January  1,  1849, 
a period  of  nine  and  a half  months,  was  44.  According  to  the  Beport 
of  Dr.  B.  H.  Thompson,  late  Health  Officer,  47  infected  vessels  from 
twelve  ports,  from  the  1st  of  April  to  the  1st  of  August,  1856,  sent 
into  Marine  Hospital,  fifty-eight  cases  of  yellow  fever ; and  from  the  16th 

22 


170 


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of  April  to  the  1st  of  August,  1858,  forty-three  vessels  from  nine  ports, 
sent  to  the  Hospital  ninety-eight  cases  of  the  same  disease;  and  Hr.  Elisha 
Harris,  an  ex-physician-in-chief  of  the  Marine  Hospital,  reports  seventy- 
nine  infected  vessels  from  April  10  until  October  4, 1856,  of  which  num- 
ber forty-one  arrived  in  July,  twenty  in  August,  and  ten  in  Septem- 
ber. Now,  when  we  take  into  consideration  that  all  such  vessels  are 
not  detained  at  quarantine  at  the  same  time,  and  that  as  many  sickly 
vessels  arrive  in  New  York  as  at  any  other  port  of  the  United  States, 
the  dimensions  of  the  dock  need  not  be  larger  than  above  mentioned. 

The  advantages  which  Wet  Hocks  possess  over  a breakwater  consist, 
not  merely  in  accommodation  and  economy,  but  also  in  affording 
greater  protection  to  the  shipping.  Major  Helafield,  of  the  U.  S. 
Engineers,  testified  before  a Committee  of  the  N.  Y.  Legislature, 
“ that  a breakwater  has  no  tendency  to  protect  a vessel  from  the  force 
of  the  winds;  their  fury  and  power  in  driving  vessels  from  their 
moorings,  is  the  same  with  as  without  a breakwater.  It  is  only  in 
resisting  the  force  of  the  waves  and  heavy  seas  that  such  a structure 
is  of  any  service.” 

Inasmuch  as  a bill  has  been  introduced  into  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States,  by  the  Hon.  Charles  Sumner,  to  abolish  all  appropria- 
tions to  Marine  Hospitals,  and  the  tax  on  Seamen, — which  tax,  so  far 
as  it  goes,  has  hitherto  been  applied  towards  defraying  the  expenses 
attendant  upon  the  care  of  sick  sailors,  — it  might  be  deemed  of  little 
utility  to  discuss  the  second  part  of  the  Resolution  under  considera- 
tion,— which  relates  to  placing  Quarantine  Hospitals  and  their  appur- 
tenances under  the  jurisdiction  and  charge  of  the  General  Govern- 
ment,— until  the  fate  of  this  bill  is  decided.  Nevertheless,  as  there 
are,  in  our  opinion,  cogent  reasons  why  the  United  States  should 
possess  the  control  and  charge,  as  well  as  the  appointments  of  a Quar- 
antine establishment,  we  will  notice  some  of  the  grounds  on  which 
this  latter  part  of  the  Resolution  was  based. 

In  the  first  place,  we  consider  that  a quarantine,  from  its  close 
connection  with  the  U.  S.  Revenue  Hepartment,  and  the  important 
bearing  which  it  has  upon  commerce,  (which  Congress  alone  can 
regulate,)  and  upon  travellers  soon  to  be  dispersed  throughout  different 
and  distant  States  of  the-  Union,  is  a national,  rather  than  a State 
concern,  and  we  cannot  conceive  that  a uniform  system  of  quarantine 
can  be  established  throughout  the  Union  unless  it  be  organized,  almost 
exclusively,  as  a national  institution. 

The  following  extract  from  the  able  Report  of  Hr.  Wm.  T.  Wragg, 
presented  to  the  Third  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention, 
respecting  the  feasibility  of  a Uniform  System  of  Quarantine,  coin- 
cides in  a measure  with  this  view  of  the  subject. 


We  find,  says  Hr.  Wragg,  in  Brightley’s  Higest,  p.  810,  under  the  head  of 
Quarantine  and  Health  Laws,  an  act  of  Congress,  passed  February  25, 
1779,  the  third  section  of  which  reads  thus  : — 

There  shall  be  purchased  or  erected,  under  the  order  of  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  suitable  warehouses,  wharves,  and  inclosures,  where 
goods  and  merchandise  may  be  unladen  and  deposited  from  any  vessels  sub- 


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171 


ject  to  quarantial  or  other  restraint,  pursuant  to  the  Health  Laws  of  any 
State  as  aforesaid,  at  any  convenient  place  or  places  therein  as  the  safety  of 
the  public  revenue  and  the  observance  of  such  laws  require. 

We  will  now  refer  to  an  almost  unanimous  decision  of  the  last  Con- 
vention,— that  fomites,  in  the  form  of  foul  merchandise,  clothing, 
and  baggage  of  various  kinds,  is  a more  public  medium  for  the  con- 
veyance of  yellow  fever  than  the  body  of  the  sick  afflicted  therewith. 
That  the  sick,  when  divested  of  fomites , may  he  permitted  to  enter 
a city  with  impunity,  whilst  vessels,  merchandise,  baggage,  and  cloth- 
ing, in  certain  conditions,  brought  from  the  same  place,  with  or  apper- 
taining to  the  sick,  must  be  detained  until  thoroughly  expurgated. 
Such  seems  to  be  the  interpretation  of  the  resolution  alluded  to,  and 
consequently  ships,  merchandise,  clothing,  bedding,  and  other  kinds  of 
baggage  are,  so  far  as  yellow  fever  is  concerned,  the  principal  things 
and  materials  for  quarantial  restrictions. 

Forasmuch,  then,  as  it  appears  from  the  preceding  extract  from  Dr. 
Wragg’s  Report,  that  foreign  merchandise,  while  detained  at  quaran- 
tine, is  in  charge  of  the  General  Government,  or  under  its  protection, 
and  as  it  is  customary  for  Revenue  Officers  to  inspect  cargoes,  examine 
the  trunks,  boxes,  and  baggage  of  immigrants,  with  the  view  of  de- 
tecting contraband  articles,  or  smuggled  goods,  these  officers  must 
unavoidably,  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty,  come  in  contact  with 
fomites , and  consequently  would  incur  but  little  additional  risk  in 
supervising  the  purification  of  articles  deemed  foul,  or  capable  of 
inducing  and  propagating  disease,  the  manipulations  being  performed 
either  by  negroes,  or  by  persons  who  have  had  the  yellow  fever, 
under  their  direction  and  control.  And  furthermore,  as  fomites 
enclosed  in  baggage,  and  possibly  in  merchandise,  may  be  conveyed  to 
parts  remote  from  the  port  of  entry,  and  even  to  distant  States,  the 
entire  Union  may  be  considered  as  interested  in  the  faithful  discharge 
of  quarantine  duties,  no  matter  where  the  quarantine  is  located; 
hence  one  individual  State  should  not  be  burdened  with  the  ex- 
pense of  sustaining  a precautionary  system  which  is  calculated  to 
benefit  the  whole.  It  is  evidently  a national  concern,  or  should  be. 
We  consider  that  goods,  while  in  the  public  stores  at  quarantine,  are 
under  the  supervision  and  protection  of  the  General  Government. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

John  W.  Sterling,  M.  D.,  ~) 

Alex.  H.  Steyens,  M.  D.,  [-Committee.” 

J.  McNulty,  M.  D.,  ) 


With  such  testimony,  and  with  the  various  quarantine  codes  of  civ- 
ilized nations  before  your  committee,  and  from  the  results  of  their  own 
personal  observations,  strongly  corroborating  such  statements,  they 
feel  that  the  task  imposed  upon  them  by  the  resolutions  of  the  last 
Convention  possesses  such  a degree  of  practical  importance,  and  in- 
volves such  a variety  of  questions  and  interests,  that  “ the  specific 


172 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


recommendations  of  principles  and  measures  of  quarantine,”  called  for 
in  this  Report,  need  to  be  very  carefully  considered  and  clearly  stated. 

Having  been  directed  to  report  to  the  fourth  meeting  of  this  Con- 
vention “ specific  recommendations  of  principles  and  measures  of  quar- 
antine, as  severally  applicable  to  yellow  fever,  cholera,  typhus  fever, 
and  smallpox,  having  reference,  also,  to  the  variations  which  different 
localities  require,”  this  Committee  will  now  endeavor  to  comply  with 
the  direction,  in  accordance  with  the  design  of  the  resolutions. 


SPECIFIC  MEASURES  OF  QUARANTINE, 

SEVERALLY  APPLICABLE  TO  YELLOW  FEVER,  CHOLERA,  TYPHUS, 
AND  SMALLPOX,  WITH  THE  VARIATIONS  WHICH 
DIFFERENT  LOCALITIES  REQUIRE. 


As  the  specific  measures  of  an  efficient  system  of  external  sanitary 
police,  to  guard  against  the  several  diseases  here  enumerated,  will,  in 
particular  cases,  relate  to  persons,  clothing,  cargoes,  or  vessels,  the 
special  provisions  required  may  be  included  under  the  following  heads  : 

I. — QUARANTINE  HOSPITALS,  AND  THE  PROPER  CARE  OF  THE 
SICK. 

II. — QUARANTINE  WAREHOUSES  AND  DOCKS,  AND  THE  PROPER 
DISPOSAL  AND  CARE  OF  INFECTED  THINGS. 

First. — Quarantine  Hospitals , and  the  Care  of  the  Side. — It  must 
be  admitted  that  the  welfare  of  the  sick  and  the  interests  of  the  public 
health  require  that  the  sick  with  pestilent  diseases  should  receive 
medical  attendance  and  hospital  care  immediately  upon  their  arrival  at 
quarantine,  or  at  the  first  place  of  detention  of  vessels  by  quarantine 
authority.  Ample  provisions,  therefore,  should  be  made  for  the  im- 
mediate and  proper  care  of  the  sick  at  every  quarantine  station. 

The  extent  and  variety  of  such  hospital  provisions,  required  for  par- 
ticular quarantine  stations,  will  manifestly  depend  upon  the  number 
of  patients  liable  to  be  received,  and  the  variety  of  infectious  maladies 
to  be  treated. 

Distribution  of  the  Side. — It  is  plain  that  no  two  or  more  of  the 
pestilent  maladies  enumerated  in  this  Report  should  ever  be  introduced 
together  into  the  same  ward,  and,  if  possible,  they  ought  to  be  treated 
in  separate  buildings. 

While  facts  do  not  warrant  the  conclusion  that  any  disease  is  neccs- 


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173 


sarily  and  inevitably  infectious  or  contagious  under  all  circumstances, 
it  is  so  true  of  smallpox  and  of  typhus  that  they  do  certainly  spread 
by  personal  contact,  limited  infection  of  apartments,  and  also  by  per- 
sonal fomites , — it  is  manifestly  the  duty  of  the  sanitary  authority  to 
insure  the  entire  seclusion  of  each  of  those  maladies.  As  regards  both 
yellow  fever  and  cholera,  it  will  be  generally  admitted  that  it  is  due 
to  public  quietude,  even  if  it  is  not  known  to  be  absolutely  necessary 
for  public  safety,  that  persons  arriving  at  quarantine  with  either  of 
those  maladies  should  be  provided  for  in  secluded  hospitals.  But  it 
is  safe  to  recommend  that  the  local  sanitary  authority  of  any  city  or 
port  should  decide  whether  special  hospitals  be  established  exclusively 
for  the  sick  arriving  at  quarantine,  or  whether  the  special  hospitals, 
established  for  the  seclusion  of  the  same  diseases  occurring  in  such 
city  or  port,  be  also  used  for  the  same  classes  of  patients  arriving  from 
abroad.  One  hospital  establishment  for  typhus  fever,  and  one  small- 
pox lazaretto,  may,  in  certain  places,  be  so  located  and  furnished  as  to 
answer  well  for  the  sick  from  abroad  as  well  as  at  home,  and  also  pro- 
mote the  efficiency  and  economy  of  both  the  external  and  internal  san- 
itary police. 

It  is  probable  that  the  proper  distribution  of  the  sick  may  some- 
times be  best  secured  by  such  a combination  of  the  hospital  arrange- 
ments of  the  external  and  the  internal  sanitary  systems  of  particular 
places,  but  proper  distribution  and  the  safe  seclusion  of  the  sick  with 
pestilent  diseases  should  be  secured  in  every  quarantine  establishment. 

Location  of  Quarantine  "Hospitals . — First,  they  should  be  so  con- 
venient of  access  and  so  situated  with  reference  to  the  quarantine 
anchorage  and  the  quarantine  warehouses  and  docks,  as  to  offer  the 
best  possible  facilities  for  the  immediate  medical  care  of  the  sick  arriv- 
ing, and  of  the  laborers  or  other  persons  becoming  ill  at  the  quarantine 
station. 

Character  and  Construction  of  Quarantine  Hospitals. — First,  they 
should  be  so  located  as  to  enjoy  a pure  and  dry  air ; and  consequently, 
should  be  sufficiently  remote  from  the  warehouses  and  infected  vessels 
to  be  safe  from  any  danger  from  that  quarter,  nor  should  they  be  land- 
locked by  elevations  around  them,  or  too  much  sheltered  from  the 
windward. 

Whether  erected  on  the  shores,  or  floating,  the  number  of  separate 
hospitals  should  be  sufficient  to  give  at  least  one  for  each  of  the  dis- 
eases that  are  to  be  provided  for  at  any  one  period ; and  the  hospitals 
should  be  so  arranged  as  to  secure — 

1.  Perfect  cleanliness. 

2.  Ample  space  for  patients. 

3.  Complete  and  controllable  ventilation. 

4.  The  best  facilities  for  the  reception  and  care  of  the  sick. 

5.  The  requisite  means  for  cleansing  and  disinfecting  bedding  and 
clothing. 

There  can  be  no  better  test  of  the  good  management  of  hospitals 
for  pestilent  diseases  than  that  the  hospital  wards  be  so  free  from  con- 
tamination that  they  do  not  become  infected  places.  To  preserve  a 
typhus-fever  or  a smallpox  ward  from  infectious  contamination,  and, 


174 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


consequently,  to  secure  the  welfare  of  its  inmates,  it  is  indispensably 
necessary  that  the  air-space  be  much  greater  than  has  usually  been 
provided  in  our  hospitals.  In  the  wards  for  cholera  and  for  yellow 
fever,  the  welfare  of  the  sick,  if  not  the  safety  of  attendants,  requires 
a liberal  and  constant  supply  of  fresh  air. 

To  attain  such  a degree  of  sanitary  security  in  quarantine  or  fever 
hospitals,  it  is  necessary  that  ample  space  be  allotted  to  the  sick.  Not 
less  than  two  thousand  five  hundred  cubic  feet  of  air-space  should  be 
allotted  to  each  patient,  unless  the  facilities  for  insuring  the  constant 
supply  of  fresh  air  from  without,  by  means  of  arrangements  for  plenum 
ventilation,  be  of  an  unusual  character.  But  it  is  not  the  design  of 
this  Report  to  enter  upon  any  details  of  hospital  construction. 

The  main  objects  of  reference  to  this  subject  have  been  attained  in 
the  foregoing  remarks,  on  the  proper  distribution  and  care  of  the  sick 
at  quarantine.  But  we  need  to  add  in  this  place  a few  suggestions 
upon  an  indispensably  important  branch  of  service,  connected  with  the 
management  of  hospitals,  particularly  those  pertaining  to  a quarantine 
establishment.  We  refer  to  the  best  means  for  the  cleansing  and  disin- 
fection of  clothing,  etc.,  from  hospital  wards,  or  from  infected  vessels. 

There  cannot  be  a more  highly  important  regulation  in  any  hospital 
than  that  which  secures  the  immediate  cleansing  of  every  utensil  and 
every  article  of  personal  and  hospital  clothing,  as  soon  as  soiled ) and 
in  the  arrangement  of  a quarantine  establishment,  none  is  more  essen- 
tial than  that  which  provides  for  the  immediate  and  thorough  disinfec- 
tion of  all  articles  of  clothing,  bedding,  etc.,  both  from  infected  vessels 
and  hospital  wards.  It  is  not  only  desirable,  but  necessary,  that  every 
quarantine  establishment  should  be  provided  with  ample  means  for 
effecting  such  purification  and  disinfection,  as  a grand  measure  of  san- 
itary protection  against  all  personal  and  common  fomites  of  pestilent 
diseases. 

Notwithstanding  the  general  impression  regarding  the  uncertainty 
of  the  ordinary  chemical  disinfectants,  so  called,  it  will  not  be  denied 
that  all  articles  of  clothing  may,  and  certainly  ought  to  be,  completely 
disinfected  and  thoroughly  cleansed  by  some  speedy  and  effectual  pro- 
cess, at  every  quarantine  establishment. 

By  referring  to  the  able  report  that  was  adopted  by  the  Convention 
last  year,  on  disinfectants,  it  will  be  seen  that  for  the  disinfection  of 
apartments  or  things  contaminated  with  the  infectious  cause  of  pestilent 
diseases,  free  ventilation  must  be  the  main  reliance ; and  it  is  truly 
stated  in  that  report,  that  “ a disinfectant  for  the  yellow  fever  is  a de- 
sideratum.”  Nearly  as  much  may  be  said  of  other  specific  febrile 
infections.  In  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge  respecting  the  essen- 
tial nature  of  these  infections,  and  their  relations  to  physiological  and 
atmospheric  chemistry,  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  positive  chemical 
disinfectants  will  be  successfully  applied  ; but  we  recommend,  however, 
that,  for  the  disinfection  of  all  fomites  and  apartments  contami- 
nated with  yellow  fever  or  any  other  febrile  poison,  full  experiment  be 
made  with  steam  or  with  dry  heat  above  200  degrees  Fahrenheit,  as 
an  effectual  mode  of  disinfection  and  purification,  whenever  and  to 
whatever  such  heat  may  be  safely  applied.  This  recommendation  is 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


175 


based  upon  obvious  principles  and  varied  observations  that  need  not 
be  stated  here,  particularly  as  they  have  been  embodied  in  a special 
memoir  for  this  Convention,  by  a member  of  this  Committee.  But  in 
this  Report,  suggestions  respecting  extreme  temperatures,  forced  ven- 
tilation, etc.,  are  made  solely  with  reference  to  the  practical  applica- 
tions of  reliable  means  for  such  processes  of  disinfection  as  may  readily 
and  effectually  be  put  in  requisition  in  hospitals,  contaminated  apart- 
ments, quarantine  warehouses,  and  infected  vessels. 

And  for  this  purpose  the  Committee  recommend  : That  in  connection 
with  every  quarantine  establishment , at  the  warehouses  as  well  as  at  the 
hospitals , properly  constructed  steam-generators  and  steam  chambers  or 
vats , be  provided  for  the  disinfection  of  all  personal,  hospital,  and  ship’s 
clothing  and  bedding,  together  with  such  other  infected  goods  or  things 
as  may  properly  be  subjected  to  high  steam  heat. 

It  is  also  recommended  that  experiment  be  made  to  test  the  utility 
of  steam  as  a disinfectant  in  vessels  contaminated  with  yellow  fever  or 
any  other  febrile  poison  that  is  not  readily  destroyed  or  dissipated  by 
other  agencies. 

It  is  also  recommended  that  at  every  quarantine  establishment  it 
shall  be  an  established  rule  that  all  articles  of  clothing,  bedding,  or 
dunnage  on  board  of  vessels  suspected  of  being  contaminated  with  yel- 
low fever  or  cholera,  and  liable  to  propagate  the  same,  shall  be  sub- 
jected to  high  steam  or  dry  heat  for  the  purpose  of  disinfection ; and 
that  this  duty  be  attended  to  as  soon  as  convenient  after  the  arrival  of 
the  infected  vessel  or  things ; and  especially,  that,  without  such  pro- 
cess having  been  performed,  no  article  or  thing  whatsoever  shall  be 
thrown  overboard  or  otherwise  disposed  of,  except  by  rapid  incinera- 
tion or  by  being  securely  sunken  under  the  water. 

It  is  also  recommended  that  in  every  quarantine  hospital  it  be  an 
established  rule , that  all  articles  of  personal  clothing,  bedding,  and 
every  kind  of  absorbent  material  pertaining  to  the  furniture  and  uten- 
sils of  the  wards,  or  the  care  of  the  sick  or  the  dead,  be  removed  to 
the  steam-vats  as  soon  as  they  become  soiled  or  contaminated  ; and  it  is 
further  recommended  that,  in  addition  to  means  for  ventilation, 
provision  be  made  for  the  application  of  heat,  by  steam  or  otherwise, 
in  the  wards  where  pestilential  infection  is  liable  to  be  perpetuated. 

In  the  case  of  fomites  of  smallpox  and  of  typhus  fever,  the  same 
rule  is  recommended  to  all  sanitary  authorities,  connected  either  with 
the  internal  or  the  external  police  of  cities. 

The  foregoing  suggestions  and  recommendations  embrace  the  most 
important  measures,  which  are  of  essential  importance  in  the  execu- 
tive management  of  quarantine  hospitals ; and  all  specific  regulations 
that  the  Committee  would  recommend  on  this  subject  may  be  concisely 
summed  up  under  the  heads  of  — 

1.  Ample  air-space  and  effectual  ventilation. 

2.  Proper  supply  and  control  of  sunlight  in  the  wards. 

3.  Such  construction  and  such  material  for  hospital  wards  as  not  to 

favor  the  retention  and  perpetuation  of  febrile  poisons  and 
pestilent  emanations. 

4.  Means  for  immediate  and  safe  disinfection  of  all  clothing,  bed- 

ding, etc. 


176 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


5.  Facilities  for  the  reception  of  the  sick,  and  for  the  removal  and 

burial  of  the  dead  without  the  observation  of  the  patients  in  the 
wards. 

6.  A resident  medical  officer,  who  shall  have  control  of  the  internal 

management  and  police  of  the  hospitals. 


Location,  Construction,  and  the  Executive  Management  of 
Quarantine  Docks  and  Warehouses. 

In  a former  part  of  this  Report  reference  has  already  been  made  to 
the  universal  defect  of  all  modern  quarantine  establishments,  viz  : the 
absence  of  suitable  docks  and  warehouses  for  infected  vessels  and 
cargoes.  This  is  a subject  of  such  vast  importance  to  commerce,  and 
of  such  vital  interest  to  the  public  health,  that  the  Committee  would 
deem  it  their  duty  to  present  the  full  argument  in  favor  of  the  recom- 
mendation they  desire  clearly  to  express  in  the  declaration  of  the  pro- 
posed code.  But,  happily  for  the  brevity  of  this  Report,  as  well  as 
for  the  complete  statement  of  the  various  propositions  connected  with 
the  subject,  a special  report  on  wet  docks  and  quarantine  warehouses 
will  also  be  presented  to  the  Convention.*  On  this  subject,  therefore, 
the  Committee  need  only  to  enunciate  the  following  general  statements  : 

1.  Ample  and  safe  warehouse  facilities,  and  convenient  and  safe 
dockage  for  infected  vessels  and  their  cargoes  are  indispensable  re- 
quisites for  every  quarantine  establishment  where  yellow  fever,  cholera, 
or  the  plague  are  liable  to  be  perpetuated  by  exotic  fomites. 

2.  Though  not  indispensably  necessary  to  enable  the  sanitary  au- 
thorities to  guard  against  the  introduction  of  typhus  or  smallpox, 
such  special  quarantine  docks  and  warehouses  might  often  be  of  great 
service. 

3.  At  any  port  where  a considerable  number  of  vessels  with  their 
cargoes  is  liable  to  protracted  detention  at  quarantine,  wet  docks  and 
capacious  warehouses,  exclusively  devoted  to  quarantine  purposes,  are 
recommended ; and  it  is  further  recommended,  that,  in  all  cases  where 
a vessel  is  reasonably  suspected  of  being  infected  with  yellow  fever, 
it  shall  not,  even  after  discharging  cargo,  be  permitted  by  the  health 
officer,  or  the  local  council,  to  approach  nearer  to  the  city  than  the 
quarantine  docks,  or  warehouses,  until  thoroughly  disinfected. 

4.  For  the  general  security  of  the  public  health  of  all  cities  in  mari- 
time communication,  no  less  than  for  the  convenience  and  benefit  of 
commerce,  it  is  recommended  that  a dry  dock,  or  a marine  railway,  be 
constructed  in  connection  with  the  quarantine  docks  and  warehouses, 
for  the  purpose  of  enabling  merchants  to  overhaul  and  repair  their 
vessels,  and  to  enable  the  sanitary  authorities  to  make  such  inspections 
as  they  may  deem  expedient  in  connection  with  such  repairs. 

5.  The  quarantine  docks,  warehouses,  and  anchorage,  should  be 
located  at  a sufficient  distance  from  any  populous  neighborhood  to  in- 
sure seclusion,  and  be  free  from  any  liability  of  communicating  the 
infection  of  any  disease  to  any  persons  not  employed  at  the  quarantine 


*See  p.  163,  et  seq. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


177 


establishment.  To  this  end,  it  is  recommended  that  the  docks,  ware- 
houses, and  anchorage  be  located  at  least  two  miles  from  any  populous 
neighborhood,  however  rural,  and,  when  practicable,  at  a much  greater 
distance  from  cities  or  large  towns. 

6.  The  warehouses  should  be  “so  constructed  as  to  secure  the  best 
natural  ventilation,  and  to  that  should  be  added  appliances  and  power 
to  afford  to  each  store-loft  and  apartment  the  most  complete  provisions 
for  artificial  ventilation  and  disinfection.”  It  is  further  recommended 
that  at  every  quarantine  establishment  there  should  be  constructed,  in 
connection  with  the  warehouse  or  warehouses,  an  apartment,  or  cham- 
bers, with  suitable  appliances  for  special  disinfection,  by  high  steam, 
dry  heat,  refrigeration,  chemical  disinfection,  and  forced  ventilation  ; 
and  that  facilities  be  supplied  for  the  speedy  and  safe  delivery  and 
shipment  of  goods  that  have  been  subjected  to  such  disinfecting  pro- 
cesses. 

7.  It  is  recommended  that  the  executive  management  and  control 
of  quarantine  warehouses  and  docks,  and  the  goods  and  persons  there- 
in, be  under  a competent  scientific  officer,  who  shall  be  approved  by  the 
health  officer  of  the  port,  and  the  local  sanitary  council. 

As  the  special  regulations  which  the  Committee  would  recommend 
respecting  the  unlading,  detention,  and  pratique  of  cargoes,  will  be 
stated  in  the  declarations  of  the  code  submitted,  we  will  not  extend 
our  suggestions  on  this  subject. 

It  will  be  observed  that  this  report  assumes,  without  argument  or  any 
narration  of  reasons  or  opinions,  that  both  yellow  fever  and  cholera 
are  diseases  capable  of  being  transmitted  and  propagated  from  place 
to  place  beyond  their  indigenous  habitats. 

In  the  case  of  yellow  fever,  having  satisfactory  evidence  that  such 
transmission  is  effected  generally,  if  not  always,  by  means  of  inanimate 
fomites,  the  Committee  have  no  occasion  to  renew  the  discussion  of 
questions  which  were  so  fully  entered  upon  by  the  Convention  last 
year.  But  it  will  be  observed  that  the  suggestions  and  recommenda- 
tions contained  in  this  report,  so  far  as  they  relate  to  the  sick  with 
yellow  fever,  contemplate  such  care  and  seclusion  as  to  answer  the  de- 
mands of  those  among  us  who  still  believe  in  the  personal  communi- 
cability of  that  scourge  of  the  tropics,  while  providing  for  the  simply 
humane  interests  of  the  sick. 

In  respect  to  Asiatic  cholera,  the  report  coincides  with  the  high 
authority  of  the  most  reliable  commissioners  and  committees  that  have 
specially  investigated  the  history  and  progress  of  that  fearful  malady. 
With  the  conclusions  of  Doctors  Baly  and  Gull,  as  expressed  in  the 
able  Report  of  the  British  Royal  College  of  Physicians,  your  Commit- 
tee believe  that  “ human  intercourse  is  certainly  only  one  cause  of  the 
propagation  of  disease,”  and  that  “ the  propagation  of  the  disease  by 
human  intercourse  does  not  prove  its  contagious  nature ; ” all  of 
which  may  be  affirmed  with  equal  truth  of  the  propagation  of  yellow 
fever.  But  “ the  possibility  that  cholera  is  occasionally  communicated 
by  a virus  produced  in,  and  emanating  from  the  sick,”  is  admitted. 

As  regards  the  utility  of  quarantine  restrictions  against  cholera,  it 
may  safely  be  stated  in  the  language  of  the  Royal  College  of  Physi- 
23 


178 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


cians,  that  “ quarantine  has  undoubtedly  often  failed  of  its  object, 
partly  from  its  being  evaded  by  the  crews  of  infected  ships,  partly, 
perhaps,  from  the  ships  being  placed  so  near  to  habitations  on  shore, 
that  the  imperfect  air  of  the  ships  would  be  carried  to  them  by  atmos- 
pheric currents ; and,  in  some  cases,  probably,  because  clothes,  still 
containing  infectious  matter,  were  conveyed  on  shore  during  or  subse- 
quent to  the  period  of  quarantine.” 

This  report  also  adopts  the  conclusion  of  the  able  document  from  which 
the  preceding  paragraphs  have  been  quoted,  that  “ it  cannot  he  doubt- 
ed that  ships  are  more  or  less  fitted  to  convey  the  disease,  or  its  cause, 
from  port  to  port,  in  proportion  to  their  want  of  cleanliness,  defective 
ventilation,  and  overcrowded  state ; and  that  if  these  evils,  of  which  the 
two  former  are  so  flagrant  in  the  smaller  trading  vessels,  and  the  two  lat- 
ter in  ships  carrying  passengers,  could  he  removed,  the  danger  of  the 
importation  of  cholera  would  be  greatly  lessened/’  The  language  of 
this  most  recent  and  reliable  authority  on  this  subject  so  fully  ex- 
presses the  views  of  your  Committee,  that  we  beg  permission  to  quote 
the  following,  as  the  best  that  can  be  given  on  this  point  in  our  re- 
port. 

u While,  therefore,  it  is  much  to  be  desired  on  general  grounds,  that 
measures  should  be  adopted  for  inculcating  and  enforcing  the  attention 
to  cleanliness  and  free  ventilation,  in  the  whole  mercantile  marine,  the 
special  application  of  measures  of  this  kind  to  ships  coming  from  ports 
where  cholera  prevails,  as  far  as  may  be  practicable,  is  imperatively 
called  for.  A close  inspection  of  all  such  vessels  should  be  made  on 
their  coming  into  port,  and  it  would  not  be  unreasonable  to  require 
that  there  should  be  brought  with  each  ship  coming  from  an  infected 
port  an  official  certificate  of  its  having  been  inspected,  and  found 
cleanly  and  not  over-crowded,  and  the  crew  healthy  at  the  time  of  its 
sailing/’ 

“ On  the  arrival  of  ships  having  persons  ill  of  cholera  on  board,  or 
having  had  deaths  from  that  disease  during  the  voyage,  more  active 
measures  must  be  adopted  ; 1 , and  the  best  that  have  been  recommend- 
ed seem  to  be,  the  removal  of  the  sick  to  a hospital  ship,  moored  at  a 
distance  from  the -other  shipping  in  the  harbor,  or  to  a special  hospital 
in  an  isolated  and  airy  situation  on  shore  ; 2,  permission  to  the  rest  of 
the  crew  to  land  after  exchanging  their  dress  for  fresh  clothes  provided 
from  the' shore  ; 3,  the  thorough  exposure  of  articles  of  dress  and 
baggage  to  the  air  and  disinfecting  agents  before  they  are  removed 
from  the  ship  (or  from  quarantine  warehouses) ; and,  4,  the  use  of 
disinfecting  agents  in  every  part  of  it,  but  especially  in  the  parts  occu- 
pied by  the  crew  and  their  baggage.” 

In  the  foregoing  concise  statement  is  embodied  all  that  need  be  said 
on  this  subject  of  quarantine  for  cholera,  though  there  is  stronger 
ground  for  quarantine  restrictions  against  that  disease  in  America  than 
can  exist  on  the  Eastern  continent. 

As  regards  typhus  fever  and  smallpox,  this  report  recommends  that 
all  specific  directions  or  regulations  for  the  management  of  both  the 
sick  and  the  vessels  in  which  they  arrive  be  committed  to  the  discre- 
tion of  the  local  sanitary  authorities ; yet  the  Committee,  desiring  to 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


179 


fulfil  the  commission  intrusted  to  them,  feel  it  incumbent  on  them  to 
report  as  follows  regarding  the  quarantine  regulations  demanded  by 
those  diseases  : — 

It  is  well  known  that  typhus  fever  and  smallpox  are  diseases  that 
prevail  most  frequently  in  cold  weather,  and  that  persons  laboring 
under  these  maladies,  and  also  infected  goods,  are  not  subjected  to 
quarantine.  It  has  been  well  observed  that  a ship  arriving  with  typhus 
fever  or  smallpox  at  midwinter  is  as  legitimately  a subject  for  quar- 
antine restrictions  as  one  with  yellow  fever  on  board  arriving  in 
midsummer.  Nor  will  it  be  denied  that  the  danger  of  contagion  in 
smallpox  and  from  infection  in  ship  fever  is  far  more  to  be  dreaded 
than  any  danger  from  persons  sick  with  yellow  fever  at  any  season. 
While  the  fomites  of  yellow  fever,  existing  independent  of  persons, 
though  active  only  during  hot  weather,  are  much  less  subject  to  con- 
trol than  the  fomites  of  typhus  fever  and  smallpox. 

Should  a single  doubt  linger  in  the  mind  of  any  one  on  this  ques- 
tion, let  it  be  remembered  that  the  foul  atmosphere  of  a ship  at  sea 
is  oftentimes  produced  during  cold  weather  or  in  cold  latitudes,  by 
overcrowding,  and  by  the  exclusion  of  pure  air,  impoverished  diet, 
and  want  of  proper  attention  to  cleanliness.  Such  a condition  of 
things  has  repeatedly  happened,  and  disease  has  been  introduced  into 
our  ports  by  the  arrival  of  emigrant,  and  other  vessels,  in  midwinter, 
after  a protracted  voyage,  or  where  the  ship’s  company  consisted  of 
a squalid,  filthy,  half-fed,  and  intemperate  collection  of  passengers,  at 
the  same  time  the  vessel  laboring  under  a leaky  hold,  and  having 
a perishable  cargo  on  board.  It  is,  indeed,  well  established  that 
febrile,  infectious,  and  pestilential  diseases  are  liable  to  occur  wherever 
and  whenever  there  is  overcrowding  of  human  beings  in  close  or 
filthy  places,  especially  on  shipboard  when  deficiency  of  space,  paucity 
of  fresh  air,  the  presence  of  extreme  humidity,  bilge-water  gases,  and 
idiomiasmata  are  peculiarly  active  causes  of  fatal  fevers  and  diffusi- 
ble infection. 

The  frequent  and  destructive  outbreaks  of  pestilent  fevers  in  naval 
transports,  and  the  peculiar  experience  of  quarantines  at  all  our 
Atlantic  ports  where  foreign  immigration  has  furnished  its  painful 
illustrations  of  the  evils  of  overcrowding  in  passenger  ships,  suffi- 
ciently enforce  the  importance  of  practical  attention  to  the  condition  of 
this  class  of  vessels  on  their  arrival  in  port,  while  their  records  point- 
edly illustrate -the  necessity  for  improvement  in  naval  or  marine 
hygiene.  Indeed,  nothing  more  strikingly  illustrates  the  importance 
of  this  subject  than  the  frequent  instances  of  the  propagation  of 
pestilent  fevers  from  ships’  holds  after  arrival  and  unlading  at  the 
wharves  of  our  cities. 

The  propagation  of  all  such  diseases  as  are  generated  or  may  be 
transported  by  ships,  is  subject  to  such  varied  contingencies  as  to  ren- 
der it  manifestly  desirable  that  in  every  port  the  local  sanitary  author- 
ity or  board  of  health  should  exercise  such  surveillance  and  control  over 
the  imported  sources  of  disease  as  may  be  found  necessary  for  the 
protection  of  the  public  health.  But  it  is  evident  that  in  all  places 
where  the  same  diseases  are  indigenous,  naturalized,  or  locally  preva- 


180 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


lent,  as  in  the  case  of  typhus,  scarlatina,  and  smallpox, — in  nearly  all 
the  cities  of  Christendom, — the  special  restrictions  of  quarantine  for 
those  maladies  should  not  exceed,  but  fully  harmonize  with,  the  scope 
and  spirit  of  the  restrictions  and  regulations  of  the  internal  sanitary 
regulations,  in  each  port  or  city  respectively.  As  stated  under  the 
head  of  Distribution  of  the  Sick , considerations  of  efficiency  and 
economy  may  often  render  it  desirable  to  combine  the  appliances  of 
the  internal  with  those  of  the  external  sanitary  police. 

In  regard  to  smallpox,  there  can  justly  be  no  relaxation  of  such 
restrictions  as  are  necessary  to  insure  seclusion  of  its  victims  and  the 
personal  fomites  of  that  malady,  until  the  great  prophylactic  vac- 
cination has  been  universally  applied.  But  fortunately  the  ordinary 
cargoes  of  merchandise  are  very  rarely  liable  to  become  in  any  degree 
infected  with  the  virus  of  smallpox,  typhus,  or  cholera.  The  readi- 
ness with  which  a vessel  contaminated  with  these  maladies  may  be  dis- 
infected, should  relieve  commerce  from  onerous  burdens  which  these 
diseases  inflict.  The  actual  detention  or  cost  being  only  for  the  pur- 
pose of  securing  complete  ventilation  and  cleansing.  Yet,  for  even 
these  purposes,  we  regard  the  preparation  of  special  docks  and  ware- 
houses desirable ; and  for  the  security  of  most  of  the  Atlantic  and 
Mediterranean  ports,  such  special  facilities  should  be  regarded  as 
absolutely  necessary  in  carrying  out  any  plan  for  the  effectual  relief 
of  the  burdens  inflicted  by  yellow  fever  and  the  plague.  Whatever 
may  be  learned  in  the  future  respecting  the  propagation  of  yellow 
fever,  cholera,  and  the  plague,  it  is  highly  important  to  maintain  all 
those  sanitary  restrictions  which  are  requisite  to  insure  the  exclusion 
of  those  maladies  from  healthy  ports. 


CODE  OF  MARINE  HYGIENE. 


DECLARATIONS. 

1.  Every  organized  government  has  the  right  of  protecting  itself 
against  the  introduction  of  infectious  diseases,  and  of  putting  any 
country,  place,  or  thing  in  quarantine  which  would  introduce  infec- 
tious diseases ; provided,  however,  that  no  sanitary  measure  shall 
go  so  far  as  to  exclude  or  drive  from  port  a vessel,  whatever  may  be 
her  condition. 

2.  The  only  diseases  at  present  known,  against  the  introduction  of 
which  general  quarantine  regulations  should  be  enforced,  are — plague, 
yellow  fever,  cholera,  smallpox,  and  typhus  fever.  As  regards 
plague,  the  European  Congress  at  Paris  had  the  right  to  settle  the 
question  for  the  nations  there  represented  ; and,  inasmuch  as  they  and 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


181 


the  other  nations  of  the  eastern  continent  have  reason  to  subject 
the  plague  to  quarantine  restrictions,  the  States  of  America  yield- 
implicit  obedience  to  that  convention. 

3.  All  quarantine  regulations,  of  any  place  whatever,  should  bear  with 
equal  force  against  the  toleration  or  propagation  of  disease  as  against 
its  introduction ; and  authority  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  disease 
in  any  place  should  be  equally  applicable  against  its  exportation. 

4.  All  quarantina]ble  diseases  are  chiefly  introduced  and  propagated 
by  the  materiel  of  commerce  ; and  it  is  therefore  against  it  that  quaran- 
tine restrictions  should  be  instituted,  and  not  against  the  personnel ; 
excepting,  however,  persons  with  no  evidence  of  vaccination,  and 
known  to  have  been  exposed  to  smallpox ; such  persons  shall  be  vac- 
cinated as  soon  as  possible,  and  detained  until  the  vaccinia  shall  have 
taken  effect ; otherwise,  they  may  be  detained  fourteen  days  from  the 
time  of  the  known  exposure. 

5.  The  application  of  quarantine  regulations  shall  be  regulated  by 
the  official  declaration  of  the  constituted  sanitary  authority  at  the  port 
of  departure  where  the  malady  exists.  The  cessation  of  these  meas- 
ures shall  be  determined  by  a like  declaration  that  the  malady  has 
ceased, — after,  however,  the  expiration  of  a fixed  delay  of  thirty  days 
for  the  plague,  fifteen  days  for  yellow  fever,  and  ten  days  for  cholera. 

6.  It  is  obligatory  on  all  vessels  to  have  a bill  of  health  ; this 
shall  consist  of  two  kinds  only,  a clean  bill  and  a gross  bill,  the  first  for 
the  attested  absence  of  disease,  and  the  second  for  the  attested 
presence  of  disease.  The  bill  shall  state  the  hygienic  state  of  the 
vessel ; and  a vessel  in  a bad  condition,  even  with  a clean  bill  of 
health,  shall  be  regarded  as  a vessel  having  a gross  bill,  and  shall  be 
submitted  to  the  same  regime. 

7.  The  plague,  yellow  fever,  and  cholera  being  the  only  maladies 
that  entail  general  measures,  and  place  in  quarantine  those  places 
whence  they  proceed,  the  restrictions  enforced  against  these  diseases 
shall  not  be  applied  to  any  other  suspected  or  diseased  vessel. 

8.  The  power  of  applying  the  general  principles  of  this  code,  and 
of  acceding  to  its  provisions,  are  expressly  reserved  to  those  nations 
and  governments  who  consent  to  accept  the  obligations  it  imposes ; 
and  all  the  administrative  measures  proceeding  from  it  shall  be  deter- 
mined by  international  sanitary  regulations,  or  by  a convention  of  the 
representatives  of  the  governments  which  have  adopted  it. 

9.  This  code  shall  continue  in  force  and  vigor  among  the  govern- 
ments adopting  it  for  five  years,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  any  party 
wishing  to  withdraw  from  its  observance,  at  the  end  of  that  time,  to 
officially  declare  his  intention  six  months  before  the  term  expires ; if 
there  be  no  such  notice,  the  code  shall  be  regarded  as  in  force  one 
year  longer,  and  thus  it  shall  continue  year  after  year,  with  all  the 
governments  accepting  it,  until  after  due  notice, — six  months  before 
withdrawal. 


v 


182 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


PROVISIONS  IN  DETAIL. 

I. MEASURES  RELATING  TO  DEPARTURE. 

10.  Measures  relating  to  departure  comprise  observation,  inspection, 
and  tlie  ascertaining  of  the  sanitary  state  of  the  place  and  vicinity ; 
the  examination  and  ascertaining  of  the  hygienic  state  of  the  vessel 
which  is  about  leaving,  of  its  cargo  and  provisions,  of  the  health  of 
the  crew,  and,  if  there  are  any  passengers,  of  their  health  also ; and 
lastly,  of  the  bill  of  health,  and  all  relating  thereto.  These  observa- 
tions, inspections,  and  examinations  shall  be  confined  to  the  authorities 
hereinafter  designated. 

11.  All  vessels  before  lading,  must  be  visited  by  a delegate  of  the 
sanitary  authority,  who  shall  be  a doctor  of  medicine,  and  submit  to 
hygienic  measures,  if  deemed  necessary.  The  vessel  shall  be  visited 
in  all  her  parts,  and  her  hygienic  state  ascertained.  The  authority 
shall  inquire  into  the  state  of  the  provisions  and  beverages,  in  par- 
ticular of  the  potable  water  and  the  means  of  preserving  it ; he  shall 
also  inquire  into  the  state  of  the  crew,  and  in  general  into  every  thing 
relating  to  the  maintenance  of  health  on  board.  If  any  person  has 
been  shipped,  having  a transmissible  disease,  such  person  shall  be 
forthwith  discarded. 

12.  Charges  shall  not  be  made  until  after  the  visit,  and  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  measures  judged  indispensable  by  the  sanitary 
authority. 

13.  Captains  and  masters  shall  furnish  to  the  sanitary  authority  all 
the  information  and  all  the  evidence,  to  the  best  of  their  knowledge, 
demanded  of  them.  If  the  sanitary  authority  judges  necessary, 
and  does  not  believe  himself  sufficiently  informed  by  the  captain  or 
other  persons  in  charge,  he  can  proceed  to  a new  visit,  after  the  lading 
of  the  ship,  in  order  to  assure  himself  if  all  the  prescribed  hygienic 
measures  have  been  observed. 

14.  These  various  visits  shall  be  made  without  delay,  and  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  avoid  unnecessary  loss  to  the  ship. 

15.  Vessels  carrying  a foreign  flag  shall  be  visited  by  the  sanitary 
authority,  with  the  consul  or  consular  agent  of  the  nation  to  which 
the  vessel  belongs. 

16.  The  number  of  passengers  embarking  on  sailing  vessels  or 
steamers,  the  arrangement  of  their  accommodations,  and  the  quantity 
of  provisions  on  board  for  the  probable  length  of  voyage  shall  be  de- 
termined by  the  particular  regulations  of  different  governments 
adopting  this  code.  But  in  no  case  should  the  number  of  individuals 
to  be  accommodated  on  board  any  vessel,  or  in  any  apartment  provided 


4 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


183 


for  the  accommodation  of  crew  or  passengers,  exceed  in  ratio  one  indi- 
vidual to  every  four  hundred  cubic  feet  of  air  space,  together  with 
provision  for  effectual  ventilation  in  all  weathers. 

17.  Passenger  vessels  of  whatever  size,  and  all  vessels  carrying 
sixty  persons,  or  a smaller  number,  including  crew,  shall  furnish  them- 
selves with  the  necessary  medicines  and  apparatus  for  the  treatment 
of  the  most  ordinary  diseases  and  accidents  likely  to  happen  on  board. 
And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  sanitary  administration  of  each  gov- 
ernment to  make  out  a catalogue  of  the  medicines  and  apparatus,  and 
detailed  instructions  for  their  use  on  board  all  vessels  of  this  class. 

18.  All  sea-going  passenger  vessels  and  all  vessels  having  a larger 
number  of  persons  on  board  than  named  in  the  last  preceding  article, 
shall  carry  a doctor  of  medicine,  approved  of  by  the  sanitary  authority. 

19.  Bills  of  health  shall  not  hereafter  be  delivered  until  after  the 
fulfilment  of  the  regulations  herein  specified. 

20.  Vessels  of  the  navy  and  revenue  vessels  shall  not  be  subject  to 
the  preceding  regulations. 

21.  In  ordinary  times,  fishing-vessels,  pilot-boats,  vessels  in  the 
coasting  trade,  of  the  same  country,  and  canal  boats,  need  not  carry  a 
bill  of  health ; the  sanitary  regulations  of  this  class  of  vessels  shall  be 
determined  by  the  local  authorities. 

22.  No  vessel  shall  have  more  than  one  bill  of  health. 

23.  Bills  of  health  shall  be  delivered  in  the  name  of  the  local  gov- 
ernment by  the  sanitary  authority,  vised  by  the  consuls  or  commercial 
agents,  and  be  of  credit  in  the  ports  of  all  governments  adopting  this 
code. 

24.  The  bill  of  health  shall  contain  the  name  of  the  vessel,  the 
name  of  the  captain,  or  master,  and  the  results  of  the  examination, 
relating  to  the  tonnage,  merchandise,  crew,  and  passengers;  it  shall 
state  the  exact  sanitary  condition  of  the  place,  the  hygienic  state  of 
the  ship,  and  whether  there  are  any  sick  on  board.  In  short,  the  bill 
shall  contain  all  the  information  that  can  enlighten  the  sanitary  au- 
thority of  the  port  of  destination,  to  give  him  as  exact  an  idea  as  pos- 
sible of  the  public  health  at  the  place  of  departure  and  environs ; of 
the  state  of  the  ship,  her  cargo,  the  health  of  the  crew  and  passen- 
gers. The  environs  are  those  places  in  habitual  communication  with 
the  port  of  departure,  and  possessing  the  same  sanitary  relations.  The 
bill  of  health  for  all  parties  adopting  this  code  shall  conform  to  the 
annexed  model : — 


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25.  Whenever  there  prevails  at  the  place  of  departure,  or  in  its 
environs,  one  of  the  three  maladies  reputed  to  be  importable  or  trans- 
missible, and  when  the  sanitary  authority  shall  have  declared  its 
existence,  the  bill  shall  give  the  date  of  the  declaration.  It  shall  give 
the  date  of  the  cessation  of  the  same  when  the  cessation  shall  have 
been  established. 

26.  In  conformity  to  the  provisions  of  Article  6,  the  Bill  of  Health 
must  be  either  Clean  or  Gross.  The  sanitary  authority  shall  always 
pronounce  upon  the  existence  or  nonexistence  of  disease  at  the  port  of 
departure.  Doubtful  cases  shall  be  interpreted  in  the  most  prudent 
sense, — and  the  bill  shall  be  gross.  In  regard  to  passengers,  for  those 
whose  health  may  be  suspected,  the  sanitary  authority  may  demand 
the  certificate  of  a doctor  of  medicine,  known  to  him  to  be  of  good 
standing,  and  if  any  proposed  passenger  is  thus  found  to  be  in  a condi- 
tion comprising  the  health  of  the  ship  or  of  persons  on  board,  he  shall, 
upon  the  direction  of  the  sanitary  authority,  be  prohibited. 

27.  Bills  of  Health  can  only  be  considered  as  valid  when  they 
have  been  delivered  within  the  forty-eight  hours  last  preceding  de- 
parture. If  the  departure  is  delayed  beyond  this  period,  the  bill  must 
be  vised  by  the  authority  delivering  it,  stating  whatever  change  may 
have  taken  place. 

28.  The  existence  of  transmissible  or  importable  disease  in  the 
quarantine  establishment  of  any  place  shall  not  alone  be  considered 
cause  sufficient  for  a gross  bill  of  health. 

II. SANITARY  MEASURES  DURING  THE  VOYAGE. 

29.  All  vessels  at  sea  shall  be  kept  in  a good  state  of  ventilation 
and  cleanliness.  And  to  this  end  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  sanitary 
authority  at  the  port  of  departure,  to  see  that  every  vessel  is  provided 
with  the  necessary  means,  and  that  captains  and  masters  are  suffi- 
ciently conversant  with  the  use  of  those  means,  for  the  purposes  indi- 
cated. 

30.  Captains  and  masters  shall  conform  to  the  instructions  of  the 
sanitary  authority  ; otherwise,  on  arriving,  they  shall  be  considered  as 
having  a gross  bill  of  health,  and  be  treated  accordingly. 

31.  Physicians  attached  to  sea-going  vessels  shall  be  considered  as 
the  agents  of  the  sanitary  authority,  and  it  shall  be  their  special  mis- 
sion to  watch  the  health  of  the  crew  and  passengers,  to  see  that  the 
rules  of  hygiene  are  observed,  and,  on  the  arrival  of  the  vessel,  to 
give  an  account  of  the  circumstances  of  the  voyage.  They  must  also 
keep  an  exact  record  of  all  circumstances  of  interest  to  the  public 
health,  meteorological  observations,  etc.,  and  note  with  particular  care 
the  history  and  treatment  of  all  the  diseases  and  accidents  that  occur. 

32.  In  vessels  carrying  no  physician,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
master  or  captain  to  fulfil,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  obligations  of 
the  last  preceding  article. 

33.  All  captains  or  masters  touching  at  or  communicating  with  a 
port,  shall  have  their  bills  of  health  vised  by  the  sanitary  authority  ; 

24 


186  National  Quarantine  Convention. 

or,  in  default  of  sucli  authority,  by  the  delegated  officer  of  the  local 
police. 

34.  It  is  forbidden  to  the  sanitary  authority  at  the  port  where  a 
vessel  touches,  or  holds  communication,  to  retain  the  bill  of  health 
given  at  the  port  of  departure. 

35.  In  cases  of  death  at  sea  from  a disease  of  a suspected  char- 
acter, the  wearing  apparel  and  bedding  which  have  been  used  by  the 
deceased  in  the  course  of  his  sickness,  shall  be  burnt  if  the  ship  is  at 
anchor;  if  en  route , thrown  into  the  sea,  with  the  necessary  precau- 
tion that  they  shall  not  float.  Other  articles  belonging  to  the  de- 
ceased shall  be  immediately  aired  or  otherwise  purified. 

III.  — SANITARY  MEASURES  ON  ARRIVAL. 

36.  All  vessels  on  arrival  shall  submit  to  an  examination  and  ques- 
tioning. The  examination  and  questioning  shall  be  made  by  the  sani- 
tary authority  delegated  for  that  purpose ; and  the  result  shall  be  re- 
corded upon  a special  register. 

37.  All  vessels,  furnished  with  a clean  bill  of  health,  which  have 
had  during  the  voyage  no  disease  or  communication  of  a suspected 
nature,  and  which  present  a satisfactory  hygienic  condition,  shall  be 
admitted  to  free  pratique  immediately  after  examination. 

38.  There  being  no  evidence  that  any  disease  was  ever  introduced 
into  a community  by  persons  who  had  been  quite  healthy  during  the 
voyage,  and  were  so  on  arrival,  such  persons  should  not  be  detained 
under  the  apprehension  that  disease  may  be  dormant  in  their  systems. 
All  well  persons  shall  be  allowed  free  pratique , excepting  only  the 
temporary  delay  provided  in  Article  4 for  smallpox,  immediately  after 
arrival. 

39.  Whenever  there  are  sick  on  board,  they  shall  be  removed  as 
promptly  as  possible  from  the  vessel  to  clean  and  airy  rooms  on  shore, 
or  to  a floating  hospital  moored  in  a healthy  situation.  The  detention 
of  such  persons  in  an  infected  ship  is  obviously  most  objectionable, 
and  should  be  allowed  under  no  circumstances  whatever. 

40.  The  experience  of  quarantine  shows  that  the  fears  of  pestilen- 
tial disease  being  introduced  by  the  ordinary  cargoes  of  dry  and  im- 
perishable goods  is  groundless,  and  that  with  the  temporary  exceptions 
hereinafter  provided,  such  cargoes  shall  be  admitted  to  free  pratique  im- 
mediately after  examination.  Nevertheless,  there  are  numerous  articles 
of  commerce  which  should  not  be  landed  except  under  special  re- 
strictions, and  apart  from  all  populous  neighborhoods. 

41.  The  application  of  sanitary  measures  to  merchandise  shall  be 
arranged  in  three  classes:  1.  Merchandise  to  be  submitted  to  an 
obligatory  quarantine  and  to  purification ; 2.  Merchandise  subject  to 
an  optional  quarantine ; and  3..  Merchandise  exempt  from  quarantine. 

The  1st  class  comprises  clothing,  bedding,  personal  baggage  and 
dunnage,  rags,  paper,  paper-rags,  hides,  skins,  feathers,  hair,  and  all 
other  remains  of  animals,  woollens,  and  silks. 

The  2d  class  comprehends  cotton,  linen,  and  hemp ; and  cattle. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


187 


The  3d  class  comprehends  all  merchandise  not  enumerated  in  the 
other  two  classes. 

42.  With  a gross  bill  and  existing  quarantinable  disease  on  board, 
or  if  there  has  been  any  such  disease  on  board  within  the  ten  days  last 
preceding,  merchandise  of  the  first  class  shall  always  be  landed  at  the 
quarantine  warehouse  or  other  place  provided,  distant  at  least  two 
miles  from  all  populous  neighborhoods,  and  there  submitted  to  the 
necessary  measures  for  purification.  Merchandise  of  the  second  class 
may  be  admitted  to  free  pratique  immediately,  or  transferred  to  the 
warehouse,  according  to  circumstances,  at  the  option  of  the  sanitary 
authority,  with  due  regard  to  the  sanitary  regulations  of  the  port. 
Merchandise  of  the  third  class  shall  be  declared  free  and  admitted 
without  unnecessary  delay. 

43.  In  all  cases  of  a gross  bill,  letters  and  papers  shall  be  submitted 
to  the  usual  purifications;  but  articles  of  merchandise,  or  other  things 
not  subject  to  purifying  measures,  in  an  envelope  officially  sealed,  shall 
immediately  be  admitted  to  free  pratique , whatever  may  be  the  bill  of 
health.  And  if  the  envelope  is  of  a substance  considered  as  op- 
tional, its  admission  shall  be  equally  optional. 

44.  A foul  ship  is  much  more  to  be  dreaded,  as  a vehicle  of  intro- 
ducing disease,  than  anything  she  has  on  board ; and  vessels  in  a fil- 
thy, unwholesome  state,  whether  there  has  been  sickness  on  board  or 
not,  should  not  be  allowed  to  enter  a crowded  port,  or  to  lie  alongside 
a wharf  or  other  ships,  until  they  have  been  broken  out,  duly  cleansed, 
and  ventilated. 

45.  If  a vessel,  though  furnished  with  a clean  bill  of  health,  and 
having  had  during  the  voyage  no  case  of  sickness,  yet  be  found  in  a bad 
or  infected  state,  or  in  a condition  which  the  sanitary  authority  judges 
compromising  to  the  public  health,  the  vessel  and  cargo  shall  be  de- 
tained until  the  case  has  been  considered  by  the  authority ; his  de- 
cision, however,  shall  be  rendered  within  twenty-four  hours. 

46.  If  in  the  judgment  of  the  sanitary  authority  the  vessel  requires 
it,  he  may  order  the  following  hygienic  measures  : Baths  and  other 
bodily  care  for  the  personnel , washing  or  disinfecting  means  for  cloth- 
ing; displacement  of  merchandise  onboard  or  a complete  breaking 
out;  subjection  to  high  steam,  incineration  or  submersion  at  a 
distance,  in  the  sea,  of  infected  articles;  the  destruction  of  tainted 
or  spoiled  food  or  beverages  ; the  complete  ejection  of  water;  thorough 
cleansing  of  the  hold,  and  the  disinfection  of  the  well ; in  short,  the 
complete  airing  and  ventilation  of  the  vessel  in  all  her  parts,  by  the 
use  of  force-pumps,  steam,  fumigation,  washing,  rubbing,  or  scraping, 
and  finally  sending  to  an  isolated  anchorage  ground.  Whenever  these 
divers  operations  are  deemed  necessary,  they  shall  be  executed  in  the 
more  or  less  complete  isolation  of  the  vessel,  according  to  circum- 
stances, but  always  before  admission  to  free  pratique. 

47.  All  vessels  having  no  bill  of  health,  which,  by  reason  of  the 
place  from  whence  they  came,  could  not  obtain  one,  or  in  case  of  acci- 
dental loss  of  bill,  shall  submit  to  restrictions  according  to  circum- 
stances, depending  upon  the  judgment  of  the  sanitary  authority,  in 
conformity  with  the  provisions  herein  established. 

48.  All  bills  showing  evidence  of  erasure  or  alteration  shall  be  con- 


188 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


sidered  null,  and  shall  incur  the  conditions  of  the  last  preceding  arti- 
cle, without  prejudice  to  the  proceedings  which  may  be  instituted 
against  the  authors  of  the  alterations. 

49.  A doubtful  case,  reported  in  an  unsatisfactory  manner,  shall  al- 
ways be  interpreted  in  the  most  prudent  sense.  The  vessel  shall  be 
provisionally  detained. 

50.  Admission  to  free  pratique  shall  be  preceded  by  as  many  visits  to 
the  vessel  as  the  sanitary  authority  may  judge  necessary. 

51.  No  vessel  can  be  put  in  quarantine,  without  a stated  decision  of 
the  sanitary  authority.  The  captain  or  master  of  the  vessel  shall  be 
informed  immediately  after  of  this  decision. 

52.  A vessel  shall  have  the  right,  except  when  they  have  plague, 
yellow  fever,  or  cholera  on  board,  of  putting  to  sea,  in  preference  to 
being  quarantined ; and  in  the  exercise  of  this  right,  if  the  vessel 
has  not  arrived  at  the  port  of  destination,  the  bill  of  health  shall  be 
returned ; the  sanitary  authority,  however,  shall  mention  upon  such 
bill  the  length  and  circumstances  of  the  detention,  also  the  condition  of 
the  vessel  on  reputting  to  sea.  But  before  the  exercise  of  this  right, 
the  sanitary  authority  must  assure  himself  that  the  sick  will  be  taken 
care  of  for  the  remainder  of  the  voyage  \ and  take  charge  of  such  of 
the  sick  as  prefer  to  remain. 

53.  Besides  the  specific  measures  in  the  foregoing  regulations,  the 
sanitary  authority  of  each  country  or  port  has  the  right,  according  to 
Article  1,  in  the  presence  of  immediate  danger,  to  take  the  responsi- 
bility of  applying  such  additional  measures  as  may  be  deemed  indis- 
pensable for  the  protection  of  public  health. 

54.  Notwithstanding  the  preceding  regulations,  whenever  the  sani- 
tary state  is  positively  healthy,  vessels  going  from  one  port  to  another 
in  the  same  country  can,  in  virtue  of  the  particular  sanitary  regula- 
tions of  each  country,  be  freed  from  sanitary  examinations.  And,  in 
ordinary  times,  by  virtue  of  declarations  exchanged  between  the  con- 
tracting nations,  all  vessels,  proceeding  or  intending  to  proceed  from 
one  of  two  countries  to  the  ports  of  the  other,  may  also  be  free  from 
examination. 


IV.  — • EXECUTIVE  ARRANGEMENTS. 

55.  Every  seaport  town  requiring  the  obligations  of  quarantine, 
should  have  a quarantine  hospital  for  sick  persons,  warehouses  for  in- 
fected goods,  with  the  necessary  docks,  and  a designated  anchorage 
ground  for  infected  vessels ; these  several  parts  of  the  establishment 
shall  be  at  such  a distance  and  direction  from  each  other,  and  all 
populous  neighborhoods,  infectious  and  infectable  places,  as  to  endan- 
ger the  life  of  no  one. 

56.  On  the  arrival  of  infected  vessels  at  the  quarantine  establish- 
ment, all  well  persons  shall  be  admitted  to  free  pratique  as  soon  as  possi- 
bly consistent  with  the  foregoing  regulations  ; sick  persons  shall  be 
immediately  transferred  to  the  quarantine  hospital,  or  to  hospital  ships, 
and  the  vessel  unladen  as  soon  as  practicable.  All  merchandise  shall 


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189 


be  placed  in  capacious  and  perfectly  secure  warehouses,  and  there 
freely  exposed  to  the  air,  and  moved  from  time  to  time  to  insure  its 
perfect  ventilation. 

57.  Merchandise  coming  from  different  vessels  and  places  in  quar- 
antine, at  different  times,  shall  be  kept  separate,  and  placed  as  much 
as  possible  in  different  warehouses. 

58.  Merchandise  of  the  first  class  (Art.  41)  shall  be  submitted  to 
such  measures  of  purification  as  the  sanitary  authority  shall  judge 
necessary.  No  putrefied  animal  or  vegetable  substances,  or  substances 
likely  to  putrefy,  shall  be  admitted  into  the  warehouses.  All  such 
substances  shall  be  rendered  innoxious  or  destroyed. 

59.  The  clothes  and  dunnage  of  passengers  contaminated  with  the 
infection  of  different  diseases  shall  be  exposed  to  ventilation  in  differ- 
ent places. 

60.  Each  Quarantine  establishment  shall  have  one  or  more  ware- 
houses specially  appropriated  to  the  reception  of  purified  merchandise, 
to  which  all  merchandise  may  be  removed  so  soon  as  it  shall  be  deem- 
ed by  the  sanitary  authority  admissible  to  pratique. 

61.  Letters  or  dispatches  shall  be  so  purified  that  the  writing  may 
not  be  affected.  Consuls  and  representatives  of  foreign  countries  have 
the  right  to  be  present  at  the  opening  and  purification  of  letter-bags, 
or  other  mail  packages  addressed  to  them  or  designed  for  their  country. 
Postmasters  shall  have  the  same  right  as  consuls  and  foreign  repre- 
sentatives. 

62.  All  governments  and  places  adopting  this  code  shall  as  soon 
as  practicable  provide  the  necessary  arrangements  and  appurtenances 
for  fulfilling  the  obligations  it  imposes. 

63.  In  case  of  the  arrival  of  infected  vessels  at  a port  not  provided 
with  a quarantine  establishment,  vessels  or  hulks  may  be  appropriated 
to  the  service  of  the  sick,  and  also  for  the  reception  of  merchandise ; 
but  in  such  cases  they  shall  be  disposed  in  such  a manner  as  will  per- 
mit the  separation  of  the  sick  and  assure  the  best  conditions  of  hygiene, 
— especially  ventilation.  But  under  no  circumstances  whatever  shall 
sick  persons  be  kept  in  proximity  with  infected  goods.  Well  persons 
shall  have  their  liberties  as  soon  as  practicable,  consistent  with  the 
preceding  regulations;  and  all  other  measures  essential  for  the  protec- 
tion of  public  health,  shall  be  instituted  according  to  the  exigencies  of 
the  case,  provided  they  are  not  inconsistent  with  the  tenor  and  spirit  of 
these  regulations. 


V. — SANITARY  AUTHORITIES. 

64.  Sanitary  authorities  shall  be  established  upon  a uniforn  basis 
by  the  countries  or  governments  adopting  this  code,  and  shall  be 
composed  : First,  of  a responsible  agent  of  the  government,  who 
shall  be  a doctor  of  medicine ; and,  Second,  of  a local  Sanitary  Coun- 
cil or  Board  of  Health. 

' In  addition  to  the  above  Report,  presuming  it  to  be  adopted,  your 
Committee  beg  leave  to  offer  the  following  resolutions : 

1.  Resolved , That  this  Report  be  referred  back  to  the  Committee, 


190 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


with  directions  to  negotiate  with  our  National  Government  or  Depart- 
ment of  State,  to  secure,  by  convention  or  otherwise,  the  national  and 
international  adoption  of  a code  based  upon  the  principles  hereinbefore 
set  forth. 

2.  Resolved,  That  a committee  of  one  from  each  State  represented 
in  this  Convention  be  designated  by  the  delegates  of  the  several 
States,  and  appointed  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Convention,  with  power  to 
confer  with  the  governments  of  their  respective  States  for  the  adop- 
tion of  such  code.* 

3.  Resolved , That  the  local  sanitary  authorities  of  the  several 
States  and  municipalities  in  the  United  States  be  furnished  with  a 
copy  of  this  Report,  and  that  they  are  hereby  respectfully  requested  to 
carry  into  effect  all  its  specific  recommendations , and  the  general  pro- 
visions of  the  code,  without  waiting  for  their  national  and  interna- 
tional adoption. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

A.  N.  BELL,  Chairman ; 
ELISHA  HARRIS, 
WILSON  JEWELL, 

R.  D.  ARNOLD, f 
H.  G.  CLARK. 


* By  vote  of  the  Convention,  it  was  Resolved,  “ That  the  Committee  on  External  Hy- 
giene have  power  and  be  directed  to  select  a suitable  person  from  each  State,  not  repre- 
sented in  this  Convention,  to  aid  in  carrying  out  the  objects  of  the  second  resolution  of 
their  Report.” — The  following  persons  were  appointed  from  the  States  represented  : 
Gov.  Emerson  of  Penn.;  Dr.  Gunn,  N Y.;  Dr.  Snow,  R.  I.;  Dr.  Moriarty,  Mass. ; Dr.  J. 
A.  Nichols,  N.  J. ; Dr.  G.  B.  Guthrie,  Tenn.;  Dr.  Thompson,  Ohio;  Dr.  Kemp,  Md. 

t It  was  voted,  on  motion  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  submitting  the  Report  on 
External  Hygiene,  “ that  two  additional  members,  appointed  by  the  Chair,  should  be 
added  to  that  Committee.  Drs.  R.  D.  Arnold  and  H.  G.  Clark  were  appointed. 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


191 


BRIEF  SUMMARY 

ON  THE  IMPORTANCE  OF  ESTABLISHING  AN  INTERNATIONAL  SYSTEM 
OF  QUARANTINE,  BY  DR.  D.  B.  REID,*  MADISON,  WISCONSIN. 

There  are  few  civilized  nations  in  which  the  progress  of  medical 
science  has  not  led  to  important  changes  in  the  administration  of 
quarantine.  Discoveries  in  chemistry  and  mechanics,  the  power  of 
heat,  cold,  ventilation,  and  disinfecting  agents,  and  a better  knowledge 
of  the  nature  and  characters  of  disease,  have  all  tended  to  lessen  the 
severity  of  the  practice  of  former  times,  to  remove  restrictions  on  com- 
merce, and  to  place  increased  resources  in  the  hands  of  the  practitioner 
in  securing  the  right  conduct  of  an  efficient  quarantine,  wherever  it 
may  be  necessary. 

It  has  been  a growing  conviction  with  medical  men,  however,  that 
too  little  attention  is  still  paid  to  the  condition  of  ships’  cargoes,  crews, 
and  passengers  at  the  port  of  embarkation,  and  that  in  consequence  of 
this  defect  they  often  start  with  disease,  or  in  a condition  that  leads  to 
its  development  when  they  are  at  sea,  that  might  have  been  prevented, 
or  at  least  largely  reduced.  From  this  cause  an  unnecessary  increase 
in  the  severity  of  quarantine  -restrictions,  and  consequently  in  the  cost, 
becomes  imperative  at  ports  of  arrival. 

As  it  is  manifest  that  health  on  board  ship  must  depend  essentially 
on  the  condition  in  which  it  leaves  the  port  of  embarkation,  the  con- 
duct of  the  voyage,  and  the  position  in  which  it  is  placed  at  the  port 
of  arrival,  it  is  impossible  to  do  full  justice  to  this  question,  or  to 
secure  those  measures  that  the  best  protection  against  the  production 
of  disease,  and  the  most  effective  modes  of  controlling  it,  unless  the 
authorities,  both  at  the  port  of  embarkation  and  arrival,  as  well  as 
those  who  direct  the  voyage  at  sea,  shall  concur  in  the  necessary 
measures  to  do  adequate  justice  to  this  question.  Foreign  govern- 
ments must  concur  in  lending  their  mutual  aid  to  the  solution  of  the 
principal  problems  it  involves.  A quarantine  system  is  essentially  a 
sanitary  question ; and  the  broader  the  basis  on  which  it  is  founded, 
the  greater  the  advantages  attending  it,  and  the  more  certain  its  suc- 
cess in  improving  the  system  and  lightening  the  burdens  attending  it; 
and  though  it  is  only  required  between  such  nations  as  are  engaged  in 
commerce,  and  more  especially  within  certain  latitudes,  the  more  cos- 
mopolitan the  character  of  any  arrangements  that  may  be  entered  into 
by  treaty  or  otherwise,  the  more  likely  are  they  to  be  generally  adopted, 
and  to  promote  the  preservation  of  health  both  at  sea  and  on  shore. 

Such  being  the  circumstances  under  which  the  attention  of  the 
Committee  was  directed  to  the  subject  under  consideration,  the  author 

* Dr.  Reid  was  appointed  a member  of  the  Committee  on  External  Hygiene,  but  owing 
to  unavoidable  causes  he  was  unable  to  participate  in  the  work  of  the  Committee  submitting 
the  Report.  His  “ Brief  Summary  ” was  received  after  the  Report  was  made  out. 

A.  N.  Bell,  Chairman  of  the  Committee. 


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National  Quarantine  Convention. 


of  the  following  summary  has  endeavored  to  place  in  the  appended 
resolutions  a scheme  that  may  be  rendered  a general  basis  of  action  in 
leading  commercial  nations  to  a united  effort  for  the  promotion  of  this 
case.  Twenty  years  have  elapsed  since  he  directed  the  execution  of 
works  for  ships  in  warm  climates,  (the  coast  of  Africa  and  the  in- 
terior,) and  he  has  since  directed  other  works  in  different  classes  of 
ships,  more  especially  during  the  prevalence  of  severe  disease  among 
British  troops  in  China,  and  latterly  at  New  York,  in  the  construction 
of  the  Russian  frigate,  the  General  Admiral,  in  which  his  plans  for 
ventilation  were  introduced.  Since  the  meeting  of  the  Sanitary  Con- 
vention last  year  at  New  York,  he  has  had  a special  opportunity  of 
bringing  this  subject  under  the  notice  of  one  of  the  members  of  the 
Cabinet  at  London,  the  President  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  the  Hon. 
Mr.  Milner  Gibson,  the  details  previously  submitted  to  His  Excellency 
the  President  at  Washington,  and  has  received  from  another,  the  Rt. 
Hon.  Lord  John  Russell  to  different  embassies  on  both  sides  of  the 
Atlantic  to  facilitate  his  proceedings  on  this  question,  though  he 
desires  to  state  explicitly  that  he  has  no  authority  nor  right  to  connect 
the  names  of  these  parties  with  the  resolutions  that  follow,  which  are 
brought  forward  on  his  own  responsibility  alone.  But  from  the  varied 
opportunities  he  has  had  of  inquiry  as  to  the  points  at  issue,  he  enter- 
tains the  conviction  that  their  discussion  has  already  been  attended 
with  the  most  important  results,  and  that  it  requires  only  the  continued 
co-operation  of  the  medical  profession  to  secure  a proper  attention  to 
their  importance,  and  to  the  improvement  of  the  condition  of  the  sailor 
and  passenger  at  sea,  as  well  as  when  detained  on  shore,  and  the  re- 
moval of  restrictions  on  commerce  to  the  greatest  degree  compatible 
with  the  public  health. 

It  is  proposed  accordingly,  with  every  deference  to  the  views  of  the 
Committee,  that  it  recommend  the  following  resolutions  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Sanitary  and  Quarantine  Convention  to  be  held  this 
year  at  Boston  : — 

I.  That  the  objects  contemplated  by  quarantine  would  be  more 
effectually  attained,  and  with  less  interference  to  commerce,  individual 
comfort,  and  personal  liberty,  were  an  international  system  established, 
recognizing  more  fully  than  hitherto  the  importance  of  sanitary 
arrangements  on  board  ship  and  at  all  ports,  and  by  giving  efficiency 
to  this  recognition  by  an  adequate  system  of  international  laws,  in- 
spection, and  local  regulations. 

II.  That  the  medical  and  other  authorities  at  quarantine  stations 
should  not  only  superintend  the  quarantine  of  vessels  as  they  arrive, 
but  also,  with  such  assistance  as  may  be  suitable,  give  advice  and 
directions  that  may  assist  in  securing  proper  sanitary  arrangements  in 
vessels  loading  for  special  ports,  and  in  maintaining  them  in  action 
during  the  progress  of  the  voyage. 

III.  That  as  modern  science  has  developed  numerous  new  resources 
for  preventing  and  controlling  disease,  the  physician  in  chief  at 
quarantine,  or  other  responsible  medical  authority,  should,  under  pre- 
scribed regulations,  have  more  power  than  is  usually  granted  to  him  to 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


193 


extend  or  relax  the  period  or  measures  required  for  quarantine  in 
individual  cases. 

IV.  That  with  the  view  of  facilitating  the  labors  of  the  medical 
profession,  and  other  authorities,  in  directing  measures  for  the  im- 
provement of  quarantine,  all  governments  taking  a practical  interest  in 
this  question  shall  be  invited  to  concur  in  providing  a series  of  colored 
illustrations  with  explanatory  letter-press  in  the  English,  French, 
Spanish,  and  German  languages,  presenting  such  information  as  to  the 
sanitary  improvement  of  ships  and  ports,  as  may  assist  in  directing  a 
more  extended  attention  to  these  questions  among  all  parties  interested 
in  them,  including  particularly  the  following  subjects  : — 

a.  The  ventilation  of  ships. 

b.  The  fumigation  of  ships. 

c.  The  warming,  drying,  and  cooling  of  ships  and  cargoes. 

d.  The  best  mode  of  destroying  noxious  refuse,  or  condemned  goods, 

or  clothing. 

e.  The  construction  of  steam  tugs,  especially  in  crowded  seaports, 

having  the  means  of  placing  the  power  of  the  whole  or  part 
of  their  machinery  on  the  ventilation,  fumigation,  warming, 
cooling,  or  drying  of  ships,  cargoes,  or  special  materials. 

f.  The  introduction  of  similar  resources  in  some  ports  by  the  aid 

of  engines,  fixed  ventilating  shafts  or  other  machinery  on 
shore,  so  that  when  a vessel  is  laid  alongside  an  appropriate 
quay  by  proper  connections  with  a tabular  channel  in  the 
quay,  more  power  may  be  brought  to  bear  on  the  ship,  crew, 
and  passengers,  or  cargo,  in  half  an  hour,  than  can  be  secured 
under  ordinary  circumstances  by  any  prolonged  detention  at 
quarantine  without  such  resources. 

g.  The  construction  of  quarantine  hospitals,  with  all  the  varied  re- 

sources that  can  now  be  advantageously  applied  to  them, 
whether  afloat  or  on  shore. 

- Y.  That  the  Sanitary  and  Quarantine  Convention  recommend  the 
appointment  of  two  or  more  members  of  the  medical  profession  who 
shall  have  had  practical  experience  at  a quarantine  station  in  the 
United  States  to  communicate  with  the  Federal  Government  at 
Washington  on  this  subject,  to  urge  its  importance  as  the  deliberate 
recommendation  of  the  Convention,  to  suggest  the  meeting  of  a cos- 
mopolitan assembly  on  quarantine  in  some  city  in  Europe  or  the  United 
States,  to  which  the  Federal  Government  shall  be  requested  to  send  a 
representative. 

VI.  That  inventors  and  others  be  invited  to  transmit  models  and 
drawings  of  all  improvements  for  promoting  health  on  board  ship,  in 
quarantine  hospitals,  and  at  quarantine  stations,  or  on  other  matters 
connected  with  quarantine  to  this  assembly. 

Madison,  Wisconsin,  May  5,  1860. 

25 


D.  B.  REID. 


REPORT  OR  REGISTRATION. 


BY  EDWIN  M.  SNOW,  M.  D.,  OF  PROVIDENCE,  R.  I. 


NOTE. 


At  the  Second  Annual  Session  of  the  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention,  held  in 
the  City  of  Baltimore,  in  April,  1858,  the  following  subject  was  assigned  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Internal  Hygiene,  and  subsequently,  by  the  arrangements  of  the  Committee, 
was  specially  assigned  to  me,  viz  : 

“ A complete  and  efficient  system  of  Registration  of  Births,  Marriages,  and  Deaths, 
with  particular  reference  to  cities,  and  the  necessary  connection  of  such  a system 
with  sanitary  measures.” 

Circumstances  having  prevented  the  completion  of  my  report  in  season  for  pre- 
sentation with  that  of  the  Committee  at  the  meeting  in  New  York,  in  1859, 1 was  re- 
quested, by  vote  of  the  Convention,  to  continue  the  investigation  of  the  subject,  and  to 
report  at  the  meeting  to  be  held  in  Boston,  June  14,  1860. 

In  accordance  with  this  vote,  the  following  Report  is  respectfully  presented. 

EDWIN  M.  SNOW. 


Boston,  June  14, 1860. 


APPENDIX  B. 


REPORT  ON  REGISTRATION. 


The  proposition  assigned  to  the  Committee  is  so  comprehensive  in 
its  character,  that  a full  investigation  of  the  subject  would  require  a 
much  more  extended  report  than  seems  to  me  to  be  necessary  to  sub- 
serve the  objects  and  aims  of  this  Convention.  Registration  is  not  a 
new  subject;  — its  general  principles  are  well  known,  and  systems 
modelled,  to  a greater  or  less  extent,  after  that  in  use  in  England,  have 
been  in  operation  for  many  years  in  some  portions  of  this  country. 

Nor  have  we  been  dependent  entirely  upon  foreign  writers  for  our 
knowledge  of  the  subject.  The  reports  of  Drs.  John  H.  Griscom  of 
New  York,  Edward  Jarvis  of  Massachusetts,  and  William  L.  Sutton 
of  Kentucky,  to  the  American  Medical  Association,  have  established 
the  general  principles  of  a system  of  registration  as  applicable  to  our 
institutions. 

The  writings  of  Dr.  Emerson  of  Philadelphia,  and  of  the  late  Mr. 
Lemuel  Shattuck  of  Boston,  and  the  official  reports  of  different  States 
and  cities  by  Drs.  Josiah  Curtis  and  N.  B.  Shurtleff  of  Massachusetts, 
C.  W.  Parsons  of  Rhode  Island,  Wilson  Jewell  of  Philadelphia,  R. 
W.  Gibbes,  Jr.,  of  South  Carolina,  William  L.  Sutton  of  Kentucky,  C.  L. 
Allen  of  Vermont,  and  others,  have  done  much  to  spread  a knowledge 
of  the  subject,  and  to  show  the  practical  operation  and  importance  of 
Registration. 

A Committee  of  the  American  Association  for  the  advancement  of 
Science  ” has  also  prepared  a report  upon  Registration,  which,  when 
published,  will  be  found  to  be  extremely  comprehensive  and  valuable. 

So  much  having  been  so  ably  written  upon  the  subject,  it  would  be 
a work  of  supererogation  to  present,  or  to  attempt  to  present  to  this 
Convention,  “ a complete  system  of  registration.”  I shall  therefore 
only  give  a few  hints  in  relation  to  the  practical  application  of  such 
a system,  with  particular  reference  to  cities  in  this  country. 

There  are  two  principal  objects  of  the  registration  of  births,  mar- 
riages, and  deaths  : 

The  first  is  to  obtain  and  preserve  a complete  record  of  the  move- 
ment and  changes  of  the  population  of  a place,  for  the  purposes  of  legal 
and  genealogical  investigation.  The  identification  of  the  individual  for 
these  purposes,  in  his  relations  to  his  family  and  to  the  community,  must 
be  considered  the  primary  object  of  registration,  and  is  equally  impor- 


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tant  in  the  city  and  in  the  country.  Wherever  the  rights  of  property 
and  the  social  interests  of  the  people  are  of  any  consequence,  it  is  cer- 
tainly necessary  that  a complete  record  of  the  birth,  marriage,  and 
death  of  every  individual,  should  he  carefully  preserved. 

This  important  object  of  registration  is  very  imperfectly  understood 
and  but  little  appreciated,  and  has  been  most  sadly  neglected,  in  this 
country.  The  title  of  a few  feet  of  land  is  everywhere  recorded  with 
all  the  formality  necessary  for  permanent  preservation,  while  in  most 
of  our  States  no  record  is  made  of  births,  marriages,  and  deaths, 
either  of  which  events  may,  at  no  remote  period,  affect  the  title  to  vast 
amounts  of  property.  Indeed,  it  is  not  improbable  that  the  titles  to 
property  are  daily  changed  by  births,  marriages,  and  deaths,  of  which 
no  record  is  made,  more  than  by  deeds  which  are  recorded  with 
so  much  care. 

More  attention  is  given  in  this  country  to  the  pedigree  of  animals 
than  of  human  beings,  and  many  persons  can  tell  the  exact  genealogy 
of  a favorite  horse  for  several  generations,  who  do  not  know  the 
maiden  names  of  their  own  grandmothers,  nor  would  it  be  possible  for 
them  to  ascertain  the  fact  from  any  legal  records. 

It  would  probably  be  impossible  for  a large  portion  of  the  middle- 
aged  men  and  women  in  the  United  States  to  prove  that  their  own 
parents  were  ever  married,  and  that  they  have  any  legitimate  right  to 
the  name  they  bear. 

The  necessity  for  such  information  and  proof  is  daily  felt,  and  its 
constantly  increasing  importance  furnishes  abundant  reason  for  the 
establishment  of  an  efficient  system  of  registration. 

The  second  principal  object  of  the  registration  of  births,  marriages, 
and  deaths,  is  to  furnish  facts  for  statistical,  scientific,  medical,  and 
particularly  for  sanitary  inquiries. 

When  we  consider  the  relation  of  statistical  and  sanitary  investiga- 
tion to  the  welfare  of  the  people,  and  the  results  of  such  investigation 
in  the  prevention  of  disease  and  in  adding  to  the  length  of  human 
life,  this  object  of  registration  appeals  directly  to  the  sympathies  and 
interests  of  the  community  as  well  as  of  individuals,  and  its  impor- 
tance is  apparent  to  all. 

This  object  is  particularly  important  in  cities  where  so  many  com- 
plicated causes  are  constantly  in  operation  to  produce  disease  and 
death. 

In  the  examination  of  this  subject,  I shall  proceed  to  show  — 

First — The  kind  and  extent  of  the  information  which  it  is  desirable 
to  obtain  by  registration,  and, 

Second  — The  best  method  of  obtaining  this  information,  particu- 
larly in  the  cities  of  the  United  States. 

I.  THE  KIND  AND  EXTENT  OF  THE  INFORMATION  DESIRED. 

If  we  refer  to  the  two  objects  of  registration  as  already  stated,  it 
will  be  seen  that  the  character  of  the  information  required  for  these 
objects  is  entirely  different. 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 199 

For  genealogical  and  legal  purposes,  and  to  show  the  personal  his- 
tory of  the  population,  it  is  necessary  that  the  record  should  be  of  such 
a character  that  each  individual  may  bej  identified  in  his  relations  to 
his  family.  On  the  other  hand,  for  statistical  and  sanitary  purposes, 
we  care  nothing  for  the  identification  of  individuals ; but  wish  simply 
certain  facts  independent  of  all  relation  to  individuals. 

It  will  readily  be  seen  that  it  is  difficult  to  fix  the  limits  to  the  in- 
formation which  may  be  obtained,  and  which  may  prove  useful  when 
obtained. 

It  is  desirable  that  the  portion  of  the  information  which  is  to  be 
recorded  should  be  such  as  may  be  given  under  suitable  heads  in  a 
record-book  of  convenient  size.  These  limits  will  be  sufficient  for  re- 
cording all  that  is  necessary  to  accomplish  the  first  object  of  registra- 
tion, viz  : the  identification  of  individuals ; and  will  also  be  sufficient 
to  include  some  of  the  most  important  items  of  information  to  be  used 
for  statistical  and  sanitary  purposes. 

For  these  purposes  facts  alone  are  required,  some  of  which  it  is  not 
necessary  should  be  recorded ; but  the  facts  thus  obtained  may  be 
used  without  recording,  from  the  original  returns,  and  their  number 
and  character  may  be  changed  according  to  the  wants  of  different 
communities,  and  may  be  limited  only  by  the  ability  to  obtain  such  as 
are  reliable.  Those  who  have  become  interested  in  the  study  and 
analysis  of  such  facts  will  agree  with  me  that  there  is  no  danger 
of  obtaining  too  many  of  them,  or  of  obtaining  such  as  cannot  be 
used  with  advantage. 

Such  being  the  general  principles  in  relation  to  the  information 
which  it  is  desirable  to  obtain  by  a system  of  registration,  I can  bet- 
ter show  the  particular  items  by  giving  a specimen  of  the  blanks  which 
seem  to  me  to  be  best  adapted  to  obtain  returns  of  births,  marriages, 
and  deaths  in  the  cities  of  this  country.  These  blanks  are  given  at 
the  close  of  this  Report.  Their  form  is  such  that,  when  desirable,  ad- 
ditional items  may  be  added  without  interference  with  those  already 
given. 

It  is  believed  that  all  the  items  given  in  these  blanks  are  important 
to  be  obtained  in  every  city,  and  perhaps  the  blanks  for  returns  of 
births  and  marriages  contain  all  that  are  absolutely  important. 

But  while  every  item  given  in  the  blanks  for  returns  of  deaths  is 
essential  in  every  city,  the  blanks  do  not  fully  meet  all  the  wants  of 
any  city.  The  circumstances,  character  of  the  population,  and  wants 
of  each  community,  must  be  studied,  and  such  additional  items  of 
information  must  be  added  as  each  special  case  may  require.  These 
deficiencies  will  readily  suggest  themselves  to  every  Health  Officer, 
and  to  every  one  who  is  acquainted  with  and  interested  in  sanitary 
science. 

In  cities  where  any  considerable  portion  of  the  population  lives  in 
tenement  houses,  or  in  cellar  tenements,  information  should  be  ob- 
tained in  the  returns  of  deaths  by  which  the  mortality  of  such  classes 
of  the  population  can  be  shown. 

In  other  cities  it  may  be  important  to  show  the  influence  of  location, 


200 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


of  the  character  of  the  soil,  of  the  water  in  domestic  use,  and  of 
many  other  circumstances,  upon  the  mortality  of  the  population. 

Such  items  may  be  introduced,  at  the  discretion  of  Boards  of  Health, 
into  the  blanks  for  returns  of  deaths,  and  every  Registration  Law  should 
contain  a provision  authorizing  Boards  of  Health  to  require  such  ad- 
ditional information  as  they  may  deem  necessary. 

All  our  most  important  information  in  relation  to  the  causes  of  mor- 
tality is  obtained  by  the  division  of  those  who  die  into  classes,  and  by 
showing  the  number  who  die  from  each  disease  in  each  class. 

Every  item  of  information,  then,  which  can  be  obtained  in  regard 
to  the  mortality  of  any  considerable  class  or  division  of  the  population, 
is  of  the  highest  importance. 

There  is  one  item  required  in  the  blank  for  returns  of  deaths,  given 
at  the  close  of  this  report,  which  I wish  to  name  particularly  because 
of  its  peculiar  interest  and  value,  and  because,  so  far  as  I am  aware, 
Boston  and  Providence  are  the  only  cities  where  this  information  is 
obtained.  I refer  to  the  Parentage  of  those  who  die. 

The  information  in  relation  to  Parentage  is  important  not  only  be- 
cause the  facts  obtained  relate  to  two  classes  of  the  population,  which, 
as  classes,  are  entirely  different  from  each  other  in  their  sanitary  con- 
dition and  in  all  the  circumstances  with  which  they  are  surrounded  ; 
but  it  is  also  necessary  because  the  division  of  the  population  accord- 
ing to  nativity  or  birthplace  has  no  value  whatever,  and  only  mis- 
leads and  deceives  the  inquirer  after  truth.  And  yet  the  classification 
according  to  birthplace  alone  is  given  in  the  mortuary  reports  of  all 
the  cities  in  this  country  except  the  two  named  above. 

The  following  examples  will  show  the  value  of  this  distinction. 

The  subject  of  infantile  mortality  in  our  cities  is  one  of  the  most 
important  that  engages  the  attention  of  those  interested  in  sanitary 
science,  and  the  proportion  of  this  mortality  to  the  whole  number  of 
deaths,  is  one  of  the  best  tests  of  the  sanitary  condition  of  a city. 
Any  classification  which  will  serve  to  show  the  causes  of  this  mortality 
is  surely  worthy  of  the  attention  of  sanitarians. 

In  the  City  of  Providence,  during  the  year  1859,  there  were  840 
deaths  of  children  under  5 years  of  age.  Taking  the  classification 
according  to  nativity,  we  find  that  338  of  these  children  were  of 
American,  and  2 only,  of  foreign  birth.  But  classified  according  to 
parentage,  137  were  of  American,  and  203  of  foreign  parentage. 

In  the  same  city,  during  the  same  year,  there  were  75  deaths  from 
the  four  diseases,  cholera  infantum,  cholera  morbus,  diarrhoea,  and  dys- 
entery. Of  these  75  persons,  69  were  of  American  and  6 of  foreign 
birth ) but  according  to  parentage,  25  were  of  American  and  50  of 
foreign  parentage. 

Similar  results  will  be  found  in  other  cities,  so  that  if  we  take  the 
classification  according  to  birthplace  as  given  in  the  reports  of  nearly 
all  our  cities,  we  find  that  all  the  deaths  from  cholera  infantum,  nine- 
tenths  of  the  deaths  from  diarrhoea  and  dysentery,  and  ninety-nine 
one  hundredths  of  the  deaths  under  5 years  of  age,  are  among  the 
American  population.  The  mere  statement  of  such  facts  shows  their 
utter  uselessness. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


201 


I have  illustrated  this  subject  more  fully  on  another  occasion,  and 
it  is  not  necessary  to  occupy  the  attention  of  the  Convention  farther 
with  it  at  this  time,  except  to  urge  its  importance  upon  those  who 
have  the  charge  of  registration,  particularly  in  the  larger  cities  of 
this  country. 

Such,  it  seems  to  me,  are  the  principal  points  which  should  guide 
us,  respecting  the  information  which  it  is  desirable  to  obtain  by  a 
system  of  registration. 

We  will  now  proceed  to  consider  the  second  division  of  the  subject, 
in  which  I propose  to  give  a few  considerations  in  relation  to 

II.  THE  BEST  METHOD  OF  OBTAINING  THE  INFORMATION 
NEEDED  IN  RELATION  TO  BIRTHS,  MARRIAGES,  AND  DEATHS,  PAR- 
TICULARLY IN  CITIES. 

1.  In  Relation  to  Births. 

Nearly  all  the  registration  laws  in  this  country  require  parents  or 
physicians,  or  both,  to  furnish  to  the  recording  officers  the  information 
respecting  births,  and  provide  penalties  for  the  neglect  to  comply  with 
this  requirement.  The  last  registration  law  in  Massachusetts,  passed 
in  the  autumn  of  1859,  contains  the  provision  that,  “ Parents  shall 
give  notice  to  the  clerk  of  their  city  or  town  of  the  births  and  deaths 
of  their  children.” 

I will  venture  to  say  that  in  Massachusetts,  not  one  birth  in  fifty 
has  ever  been  or  ever  will  be  recorded,  under  this  provision ; and  it  is 
evident  that  those  who  framed  the  law  placed  little  dependence  upon 
this  section,  as  they  have,  in  the  same  law,  provided  other  and  more 
efficient  means  for  obtaining  the  information  respecting  births. 

The  provision  requiring  parents  to  furnish  information  respecting 
births  is  entirely  useless  for  several  reasons. 

The  services  of  too  great  a number  of  persons  are  required  to  ob- 
tain the  necessary  information.  One  general  principle  may  be  stated 
here,  not  only  in  relation  to  returns  of  births,  but  also  in  relation  to  all 
the  returns  desired  in  a system  of  registration  : it  is,  that  the  duty  of 
obtaining  the  information  and  making  the  returns  should  be  committed 
to  as  few  persons  as  possible.  The  reasons  for  this  are  obvious. 

The  large  majority  of  parents,  particularly  in  cities,  have  very  little 
knowledge  of  the  law,  and  take  very  little  interest  in  it;  and  if  they 
have  a knowledge  of  the  law,  very  few  of  them  will  take  the  trouble 
to  comply  with  its  requisitions. 

The  provision,  in  some  places,  requiring  physicians  to  report  the 
births  of  children  occurring  in  their  practice,  is  equally  inoperative 
and  useless,  for  obtaining  complete  and  perfect  returns. 

Physicians,  as  a class,  are  as  ready  to  do  their  duty  to  the  public  as 
any  other  persons ; but  among  them,  as  in  all  other  classes,  there  are 
not  a few  individuals,  who  would  refuse  to  comply  with  a statute 
which  required  considerable  trouble,  and  which  they  were  called  upon 
to  obey  without  remuneration,  and  with  the  threat  of  prosecution  in 
case  of  non-compliance.  The  result  of  such  a provision,  in  a regis- 
26 


202 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


tration  law,  is,  that  only  a small  portion  of  the  physicians  will  comply 
with  its  requisitions.  Again,  most  physicians  dislike  to  make  these 
returns,  because,  by  so  doing,  they  reveal  information  relating  to  their 
practice  which  the  public  has  no  right  to  demand.  Moreover,  if  all 
physicians  faithfully  comply  with  the  law,  we  cannot  thus  obtain  full 
returns  of  births.  A considerable  portion  of  the  children,  particular- 
ly in  cities,  are  born  without  the  attendance  of  physicians,  and  the  re- 
turns of  these  births  must  be  obtained  from  the  parents,  or  other 
parties.  The  objections  to  this  have  already  been  stated. 

Again,  in  the  registration  of  births,  it  is  very  important  that  the 
names  of  the  children  should  be  recorded.  The  physician  completes  his 
attendance  usually  within  a few  days  after  the  birth  • and  in  most  cases 
before  the  child  is  named.  It  cannot  be  expected  that  he  will  take  the 
trouble  to  visit  the  child,  perhaps  repeatedly,  until  he  can  ascertain 
and  report  the  name.  Hence  it  has  been  found  wherever  the  experi- 
ment has  been  tried,  and  will  be  found  in  future,  that  physicians’  re- 
turns of  births  are  generally  deficient  in  the  names  of  the  children, 
and  frequently  in  other  particulars. 

We  therefore  find  in  practice,  what  might  be  expected  in  theory, 
that  all  laws,  requiring  parents  or  physicians  to  make  returns  of  births, 
utterly  fail  in  obtaining  full  and  correct  returns. 

The  only  method  by  which  returns  of  births  can  be  obtained  in 
cities,  with  any  approach  to  fulness  and  correctness,  is  by  requiring 
the  recording  officer  to  obtain  the  information  personally,  or  by  his 
agents. 

The  Registration  Law  upon  this  subject,  in  Rhode  Island,  is  as  fol- 
lows : 

“ Op  Births.  Sec.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  clerk  of  each  of  the  towns,  annually, 
in  the  month  of  January,  to  collect  the  facts  required  by  section  third  of  this  chapter,  in 
relation  to  all  children  born  in  the  town  during  the  year  ending  the  thirty-first  day  of 
December  next  preceding,  and  for  each  full  report  of  a birth  so  obtained,  the  clerk  shall 
receive  ten  cents  to  be  paid  by  the  town  in  which  the  birth  is  recorded.” 

A separate  fee  of  ten  cents  each  is  provided  for  recording  the  re- 
turns after  they  are  obtained,  so  that  the  interest  of  the  clerk  concides 
with  his  duty,  to  obtain  as  full  returns  as  possible.  Self-interest  and 
duty  combined,  in  this  as  in  other  cases,  are  usually  sufficient  to 
accomplish  the  desired  results. 

Under  this  plan  for  obtaining  returns  of  births,  marshals  are  em- 
ployed in  Providence,  to  visit  every  family  in  the  city,  in  the  months 
of  January  and  July  of  each  year,  and  obtain  all  the  necessary  infor- 
mation in  relation  to  all  the  children  born  during  the  six  months  next 
preceding.  These  marshals  are  furnished  with  the  blanks  for  returns 
of  births  which  are  bound,  by  the  top,  in  convenient  volumes,  each 
containing  one  hundred  blanks.  After  the  blanks  are  filled,  they  are 
cut  out,  and  are  arranged  according  to  dates  before  being  recorded. 

It  is  not  difficult  to  find  suitable  men  in  all  our  cities,  who  would 
be  willing  to  obtain  the  returns  in  this  manner  for  the  fee  which  is 
allowed  by  the  Registration  Law  of  Rhode  Island. 

With  faithful  marshals,  the  only  chance  for  failure  to  obtain  complete 
returns  under  this  plan,  is  on  account  of  removals  from  the  city. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


203 


Among  certain  classes  of  the  population  of  all  cities,  removals  are 
frequent,  and  some  returns  are  undoubtedly  lost  in  this  way ; but  if 
the  marshals  are  instructed  to  obtain  returns  of  the  births  of  all 
children  born  during  the  preceding  six  months,  the  number  obtained 
who  were  born  in  other  places,  will,  probably,  equal  the  number  lost 
by  removal. 

In  some  cities,  the  children  who  were  born  in  other  places  are 
omitted  in  the  census  of  births.  The  objects  of  the  registration  of 
births  are  two ; First , To  preserve  a record  of  the  births  of  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  place ; and  Second , To  obtain  the  exact  number  of 
births  in  a place  for  statistical  purposes.  It  seems  to  me  that  both 
these  objects  will  be  most  nearly  accomplished,  by  including  in  the 
returns  all  the  children  found  who  were  born  during  the  preceding  six 
months. 

On  account  of  removals,  it  is  important  that  the  census  of  births  in 
all  cities,  should  be  taken  at  least  twice  in  each  year. 

Such,  in  my  opinion,  is  the  only  feasible  plan  for  obtaining  returns 
of  births  in  the  cities  of  this  country,  with  any  approach  to  complete- 
ness. A similar  method  has  been  adopted  in  Boston  for  some  years, 
and  a comparison  of  the  returns  of  births  in  that  city  and  in  Provi- 
dence, with  those  of  other  cities,  furnishes  good  evidence  of  the 
superiority  of  the  plan. 

2.  In  Relation  to  Marriages. 

The  returns  of  marriages  in  all  our  cities  are  obtained  under  the 
provisions  of  State  laws,  and,  for  obvious  reasons,  it  is  not  advisable 
that  cities  should  pass  additional  laws  upon  the  subject.  And  yet,  the 
record  of  marriages  is  of  so  great  importance,  that  it  may  not  be  im- 
proper to  give  a few  observations  in  relation  to  the  modes  of  obtaining 
the  returns. 

When  we  consider  the  effect  of  marriages  upon  the  titles  to  property, 
and  their  importance  in  tracing  the  history  of  families,  the  indifference 
in  this  country  to  the  preservation  of  the  proof  of  these  events,  is  most 
remarkable.  The  tendency,  for  some  years  past,  of  all  legislation 
upon  the  subject,  at  least  in  the  Eastern  States,  has  been  to  remove 
all  impediments  to  the  performance  of  the  marriage  ceremony.  The 
public  notice  of  the  intention  of  marriage  has  been  generally  abolished, 
and  in  some  States,  parties  of  almost  any  character,  or  age,  and  even 
of  different  races,  can  be  united  for  life,  without  restriction.  The 
most  sacred  obligations, — obligations  which  are  not  for  a day,  but 
which  can  be  rightly  absolved  only  by  death,  are  assumed  with  less 
form  and  ceremony,  and  are  made  a matter  of  less  importance,  than 
the  conveyance  of  a square  foot  of  land. 

It  is  certainly  reasonable  that  legislative  enactments  should  place 
some  restriction  upon  the  hasty  assumption  of  such  obligations : but, 
at  any  rate,  if  persons  will  act  thus  inconsiderately,  it  is  no  more  than 
just  that  the  rights  of  their  posterity  should  be  protected  by  the  care- 
ful record  of  their  folly. 

In  all  portions  of  this  country,  so  far  as  I am  aware,  where  any  regu- 
lations exist  upon  the  subject,  it  is  made  the  duty  of  the  clergyman, 


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National  Quarantine  Convention. 


or  other  person  performing  the  ceremony,  to  furnish  the  report  of  the 
marriage  to  the  recording  officer.  In  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut, 
a preliminary  record  of  the  intention  of  marriage  must  be  made ; but 
as  this  record  of  the  intention  is  no  proof  of  the  marriage,  and  as  it 
does  not  accomplish  the  object  of  a publication  of  the  intention,  I can 
perceive  little  utility  in  it.  There,  as  in  other  States,  the  return  of 
the  marriage  necessary  for  the  record,  must  be  obtained  from  the 
officiating  clergyman. 

In  Rhode  Island,  the  blanks  in  the  return  of  a marriage  must  be 
filled  out  and  must  be  signed  by  the  parties,  and  delivered  to  the  clergy- 
man, before  he  can  perform  the  ceremony.  But  we  still  depend  upon 
the  clergyman  for  the  return,  and  there  seems  to  be  no  particular 
benefit  in  the  regulation,  except  that  when  the  clergyman  has  the 
blanks  already  filled  and  signed,  he  may  be  more  inclined  to  do  his 
duty,  and  make  the  return  to  the  recording  officer.  It  also  enables  us 
to  show  what  portion  of  those  who  enter  the  married  state  can  write 
their  own  names. 

I am  sorry  to  say,  but  truth  compels  me,  that  very  many  clergymen 
do  not  seem  to  appreciate  the  importance  of  the  record  of  marriages, 
and  are  sadly  delinquent  in  the  observance  of  their  duty  to  make  the 
returns.  I venture  to  assert  that,  in  no  city  in  this  country  are 
complete  returns  of  marriages  obtained,  without  continued  and  persis- 
tent effort  on  the  part  of  the  recording  officer. 

The  whole  system  is  wrong,  and  the  lamentable  results  of  this  relaxa- 
tion in  the  laws  relating  to  marriage,  and  of  this  neglect  in  making 
the  necessary  record,  are  every  day  seen  in  the  increase  of  petitions 
for  divorce,  and  in  the  civil  and  criminal  suits  at  law  which  are  from 
time  to  time  brought  before  the  community. 

The  remedy  for  these  evils  is  to  give  the  marriage  contract  the  im- 
portance which  it  deserves,  and  which  the  highest  interests  of  the  com- 
munity demand.  The  best  method  of  accomplishing  this  object,  in  my 
opinion,  is,  by  the  adoption  of  a system  somewhat  similar  to  that  con- 
tained in  the  Code- Civil  of  France. 

A formal  marriage  contract,  containing  the  full  description  and 
family  history  of  the  parties,  should  be  written,  signed,  and  sealed, 
before  competent  witnesses.  This  contract  should  be  acknowledged 
by  both  parties,  before  the  proper  officer,  and  should  be  placed  on 
record. 

When  this  is  done,  the  recording  officer  should  issue  his  certificate 
of  the  fact,  and  this  certificate,  and  this  alone,  should  authorize  the 
performance  of  the  religious  ceremony  by  any  clergyman.  But  the 
contract  itself,  signed,  acknowledged,  and  recorded,  should  be  taken  as 
proof  of  the  marriage,  and  should  constitute  the  marriage  so  far  as 
all  legal  and  civil  rights  are  concerned,  the  performance  or  omission  of 
the  religious  ceremony  being  left  to  the  option  of  the  parties. 

With  these  provisions,  persons  would  not  rush  into  the  marriage 
relation  so  heedlessly  as  at  present ; the  clandestine  marriage  of  minors 
would  be  prevented  : every  marriage  would  be  recorded,  and  the  proof 
of  every  marriage  would  be  preserved  with  the  same  care  as  that  of 
deeds  of  land  and  of  other  civil  transactions. 


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205 


Such,  it  seems  to  me,  is  the  most  efficient  plan  for  obtaining  the 
information  necessary  for  the  record  of  marriages,  and  for  preserving 
the  proof  of  these  important  events. 

3.  In  Relation  to  Deaths. 

The  information  relating  to  deaths  is  more  intimately  connected  with 
the  objects  of  this  Convention,  and  is  more  important  to  us  as  students 
in  sanitary  science,  than  that  relating  to  births  or  marriages.  Hence, 
the  best  method  of  obtaining  full  and  complete  returns  of  deaths, 
especially  in  cities,  is  a subject  requiring  the  most  careful  considera- 
tion. 

The  radical  defect  of  the  different  systems  adopted  for  obtaining 
these  returns,  in  most  of  our  cities,  is,  that  they  permit  the  removal 
and  burial  of  the  dead,  without  requiring  sufficient  evidence  in  relation 
to  the  cause  of  death. 

The  death  of  a human  being  is  always  an  event  of  sufficient  impor- 
tance to  call  for  a careful  investigation,  and  the  estimate  of  the  value 
of  human  life  is  so  low  among  a portion  of  the  population  of  our  cities, 
that  a proper  regard  for  the  welfare  of  the  community  demands  that 
every  death  should  be  fully  accounted  for. 

The  cases  are  unfortunately  not  uncommon  in  many  cities  in  which 
deaths  are  caused  by  violence,  and  of  course  require  investigation 
previous  to  burial ; but  besides  these,  there  are  numerous  instances 
where,  though  there  is  no  positive  suspicion  of  violence,  the  death 
occurs  under  circumstances  that  call  for  an  investigation.  The  safety 
of  the  community  and  a proper  regard  for  the  public  morals  demand 
that  it  should  be  made  impossible  to  bury  the  dead  in  such  cases 
untiF  the  cause  of  death  is  satisfactorily  ascertained  and  all  suspicions 
removed. 

For  these  reasons,  and  also  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  complete 
returns  of  deaths  for  legal  and  genealogical,  and  particularly  for  sani- 
tary investigation,  the  rule  should  be  made  imperative  in  all  systems 
of  registration  in  cities,  that 

1.  No  dead  body  of  a human  being  shall  be  buried , or  placed  in  a 
tomb , or  removed  from  the  city , without  a permit  from  the  recording 
officer. 

2.  No  permit  shall  be  given  until  full  information  concerning  the 
deceased  person  is  furnished , including  satisfactory  evidence  in  relation 
to  the  cause  of  death. 

This  plan  for  obtaining  returns  of  deaths  simplifies  the  whole  sub- 
ject, and  renders  unnecessary  many  regulations  which  are  essential 
under  any  other  plan.  The  principle  that  no  dead  body  of  a human 
being  shall  be  disposed  of  until  the  cause  of  death  is  fully  accounted 
for,  will  commend  itself  to  the  favorable  opinion  of  the  community, 
and  a public  sentiment  will  be  created  which  will  be  an  efficient  aid 
in  the  enforcement  of  the  law,  and  will  insure  complete  returns  of 
deaths  so  far  as  this  object  can  be  attained  by  legislative  enactments. 

Another  advantage  of  this  plan  is,  that  the  returns  of  deaths  will  be 
made  promptly,  within  a few  hours  after  the  death  occurs,  thus  giving 
the  health  officer  full  knowledge,  at  any  time,  of  the  causes  of  death 


206 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


which  are  prevalent  in  the  community,  and  of  the  locality  in  which 
particular  diseases  exist.  This  consideration  is  of  great  importance  at 
all  times,  and  particularly  when  an  epidemic  is  present  in  a city. 

This  plan  requires  u satisfactory  evidence  in  relation  to  the  cause  of 
death.”  Such  evidence  should  be  the  physician’s  certificate  in  all 
cases  where  a physician  was  in  attendance  during  the  sickness  of  the 
deceased  person.  This  certificate  should  be  required  in  all  cases, 
without  exception,  when  it  is  possible  to  obtain  it. 

In  cases  of  sudden  death,  when  a coroner’s  inquest  is  held,  the 
certificate  of  the  coroner  should  be  required  as  evidence  of  the 
cause  of  death. 

But  in  addition  to  the  cases  where  the  physician’s  or  coroner’s  cer- 
tificate of  the  cause  of  death  can  be  obtained,  a considerable  number  of 
deaths  occur  in  cities  without  the  attendance  of  a physician,  and  with- 
out the  investigation  of  a coroner.  The  purposes  of  registration  and 
the  safety  of  the  community  require  that  better  evidence  of  the  cause 
of  death  should  be  obtained,  in  such  cases,  than  the  statements  of  the 
friends  of  the  deceased.  These  statements  are  never  reliable  as 
positive  evidence  of  the  cause  of  death,  and  besides,  if  they  are  received 
as  evidence,  an  opportunity  is  afforded  for  the  burial  of  persons  whose 
deaths  occur  under  circumstances  which  absolutely  demand  inves- 
tigation. 

To  obviate  these  objections,  well-qualified  physicians  should  be 
appointed  in  all  cities,  whose  duty  it  should  be  to  make  an  examination 
into  the  circumstances  relating  to  all  deaths  which  are  reported  with- 
out the  certificate  of  a physician  or  of  a coroner.  This  officer  should 
visit  the  body,  and  make  such  inquiries  as  may  be  necessary  to  ascer- 
tain the  cause  of  death.  If  the  circumstances  seem  to  demand  it,  he 
may  report  the  case  to  a coroner  for  further  investigation ; but,  in 
nine  cases  out  of  ten,  the  examination  of  a qualified  physician  will 
be  sufficient,  and  he  can  give  a more  satisfactory  opinion  in  relation  to 
the  cause  of  death  than  it  is  possible  to  obtain  from  a coroner’s  inquest, 
as  they  are  conducted  in  most  cases,  in  our  cities. 

Perhaps  it  may  be  best  that  the  examining  physician  should  be 
clothed  with  the  powers  of  a coroner,  and  most  certainly  all  coroners 
should  be  physicians;  but  the  laws  relating  to  the  duties  of  these 
officers  should  be  such  that  it  shall  not  be  greatly  to  their  pecuniary 
advantage  to  hold  an  inquest,  when  a personal  examination  may  be 
entirely  sufficient  and  satisfactory. 

In  small  cities,  the  recording  officer,  if  a physician,  as  he  always 
should  be,  may  be  required  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  death  in  such 
cases,  by  personal  investigation  ; but  in  large  cities  more  than  one  such 
officer  will  be  necessary. 

In  all  cities  the  burial  of  the  dead  and  the  management  of  funerals 
are  mostly  in  the  hands  of  undertakers,  and  from  them  the  greater 
portion  of  the  returns  of  deaths  will  be  received,  under  the  system  I 
have  proposed. 

For  the  purpose  of  securing  efficiency  in  the  operation  of  a system 
of  registration  in  cities,  and  for  the  prevention  of  abuses,  no  person 


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should  be  permitted  to  act  as  an  undertaker  without  a license  first 
obtained  from  the  Board  of  Health,  and  this  body  should  have  the 
power  to  revoke  any  license  for  satisfactory  reasons. 

Though  not  especially  pertinent  to  this  subject,  I may  he  permitted 
to  remark  that  if  gentlemen  will  make  inquiries  in  their  several  cities, 
they  will  find,  in  my  opinion,  that  no  business  needs  the  regulations 
and  restrictions  of  law  for  the  prevention  of  abuses,  more  than  that 
of  undertakers. 

Such  seems  to  me  to  be  the  best  plan  for  obtaining  returns  of  deaths  in 
cities.  It  is  certainly  correct  in  theory,  and  judging  from  my  own 
experience  in  connection  with  the  subject,  I am  confident  that  it  will 
be  found  successful  in  practice,  and  will  furnish  more  nearly  complete 
returns,  and  with  less  trouble,  than  can  be  obtained  in  any  other 
way. 

Other  methods  of  obtaining  returns  of  deaths  have  been  adopted  in 
different  cities,  and  the  results  of  their  operation  are  known  to  those 
who  are  acquainted  with  the  subject.  I think  that  such  persons  will 
agree  with  me  in  saying  that  they  have  all  failed  in  obtaining  the  full 
benefits  of  registration.  Among  these  plans  is  that  which  has 
been  in  operation  in  the  city  of  Providence,  during  the  last  four 
years. 

I refer  to  this  particularly,  because  it  has  been  supposed  to  be 
efficient,  and  because  it  has  been  recently  adopted,  in  substance,  in 
one  of  our  largest  cities,  and  has  been  recommended  for  adoption,  by 
the  Board  of  Health  of  another  city. 

This  plan  is,  briefly,  as  follows  : — 

1.  Physicians  are  required  to  leave  a certificate  of  the  cause  of 
death  with  the  undertaker,  within  forty-eight  hours  after  the  death 
occurs. 

2.  The  undertaker  is  forbidden  to  bury,  or  place  in  a tomb,  or 
remove  the  body,  until  he  has  received  the  physician’s  certificate  of 
the  cause  of  death,  or,  if  this  cannot  be  obtained,  a permit  from  the 
City  Registrar. 

3.  Persons  other  than  undertakers  are  required,  in  all  cases,  to 
make  a report,  and  obtain  a permit,  before  they  can  bury  or  remove 
a dead  body. 

4.  Undertakers  are  required  to  make  returns  of  deaths  to  the  City 
Registrar,  on  Monday  of  each  and  every  week. 

It  is  certainly  true  that  during  the  last  four  years,  under  this  system, 
we  have  obtained  in  Providence,  almost  without  exception,  complete 
returns  of  all  the  deaths  in  the  city,  together  with  the  physician’s 
certificate  of  the  cause  of  death  in  nearly  every  case  in  which  a phy- 
sician was  in  attendance. 

And  yet,  in  the  practical  operation  of  the  law,  I find  difficulties  and 
defects,  even  in  the  comparatively  small  city  of  Providence ; — defects 
which,  in  my  opinion,  would  seriously  impair  its  efficiency  when 
applied  to  larger  cities. 

Some  of  the  objections  to  this  system  are  the  following  : — 

1.  The  section  requiring  physicians  to  leave  a certificate  of  the 
cause  of  death  with  the  family  of  the  deceased,  or  with  the  undertaker, 


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is  not,  and  never  can  be  enforced.  Physicians  are  generally  willing 
to  sign  the  certificate  when  it  is  presented  to  them  for  this  purpose ; 
but  they  will  not  take  the  trouble  to  leave  it  with  the  family,  or  with 
the  undertaker;  The  result  is,  that  the  duty  of  obtaining  the  cer- 
tificate devolves  wholly  upon  the  undertaker,  and  as  this  often  requires 
considerable  trouble,  it  is  neglected  until  after  the  burial,  and  without 
constant  and  unremitting  watchfulness  on  the  part  of  the  recording 
officer,  some  certificates  will  fail  to  be  received. 

2.  Another  and  the  most  radical  defect  in  this  system  is,  that 
though  the  law  may  be  rigidly  enforced,  it  is  possible,  under  its  pro- 
visions, to  bury  the  dead  without  that  investigation  which  the  welfare 
of  the  community  demands.  When  a death  occurs  in  which  no 
physician  has  been  in  attendance,  the  evidence  in  relation  to  the  cause 
of  death  is  obtained  from  the  undertaker,  who  receives  his  information 
from  the  friends  of  the  deceased.  But  though  the  undertaker  may  do 
his  duty  faithfully,  by  reporting  the  case,  and  obtaining  a permit  before 
the  burial,  he  is  liable  to  be  deceived  by  the  friends  of  the  deceased, 
and  would  certainly  be  deceived  in  precisely  those  cases  where  there 
are  suspicious  circumstances  attending  the  death,  and  where  an  inves- 
tigation is  most  necessary. 

A case  of  this  kind  occurred  a few  months  since  in  Providence,  in 
which  the  undertaker,  being  deceived  by  the  friends,  reported  the 
cause  of  death  as  consumption,  and  received  a permit  for  burial.  Sub- 
sequent investigation  showed  it  to  be  a case  in  which  an  unmarried 
woman,  in  attempting  to  conceal  the  birth  of  a child,  lost  her  own  life 
as  well  as  that  of  the  child. 

3.  Another  objection  to  this  law  is,  that  a weekly  return  of  deaths 
is  not  sufficiently  frequent  to  meet  the  wants  of  a Health  Officer.  He 
should  be  able  to  ascertain  at  all  times,  what  causes  of  death  are  in 
operation  in  the  community,  that  he  may  promptly  take  the  neces- 
sary measures  for  their  removal.  This  is  especially  important  in 
times  of  epidemics. 

Without  dwelling  longer  upon  the  defects  of  this  system,  it  may  be 
sufficient  to  say,  as  the  result  of  four  years’  experience,  that  its  prac- 
tical operation  is  not  entirely  satisfactory,  even  in  a small  city,  and  that 
the  objections  to  it  would,  in  my  opinion,  have  still  greater  force  in 
larger  cities. 

That  there  will  be  imperfections  in  the  returns,  under  the  system  I 
have  proposed,  as  well  as  under  all  other  systems,  is  most  certain,  and 
the  recording  officer,  if  interested  in  the  subject,  will  have  frequent 
occasion  to  regret  that  his  wishes  are  not  fully  realized,  either  in  the 
character  or  extent  of  the  information  obtained. 

The  physicians’  certificates  of  the  causes  of  death,  which  are 
absolutely  essential,  and  should  never  be  omitted  in  any  system  of 
registration,  will  not  always  be  satisfactory  to  an  intelligent  recording 
officer.  If  qualified  to  judge  upon  the  subject,  he  will,  not  unfrequent- 
ly,  receive  certificates  from  physicians  which  he  will  know  cannot  be 
correct,  and  he  will  constantly  find  evidences  of  haste,  carelessness, 
and  even  of  ignorance,  in  some  physicians,  which  will  seriously  impair 
his  confidence  in  the  reliability  of  human  testimony  upon  this  subject 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


209 


And  yet,  the  certificate  of  a physician  who  has  attended  a case  of 
fatal  sickness,  is  the  best  evidence  that  it  is  possible  to  obtain  in 
relation  to  the  cause  of  death,  and  should  never  be  omitted  in  the 
return.  A physician’s  certificate  that  the  cause  of  death  is  unknown, 
is  much  more  satisfactory  than  the  surmises  of  other  persons. 

It  has  been  found  in  Providence,  that  the  habit  of  signing  the  cer- 
tificates of  the  causes  of  death  has  been  an  incidental  but  very  great 
benefit  to  physicians  themselves,  by  rendering  them  more  careful  and 
exact  in  their  diagnosis  of  diseases. 

It  may  be  objected  that  the  plan  here  recommended,  of  requiring  a 
permit  in  all  cases  previous  to  burial,  will  prove  burdensome  in  large 
cities.  To  this  I should  reply  that,  if  the  principle  is  correct,  that 
the  highest  interests  of  the  community  demand  that  the  death  of  every 
individual  should  be  fully  accounted  for,  the  acknowledgment  of  this 
principle  implies  the  necessity  for  the  adoption  of  sufficient  measures 
for  accomplishing  the  object.  But  I do  not  anticipate  any  difficulty 
upon  this  point.  The  cases  must  be  very  rare  where  it  is  necessary  to 
bury  the  dead  before  there  is  time  to  obtain  a permit,  and  I should 
consider  the  prevention  of  hasty  burials,  which  are  too  common  in 
this  country,  an  incidental  argument  in  favor  of  the  plan  pro- 
posed. 

But  the  practicability  of  this  plan  has  already  been  tested  in  the 
largest  city  in  this  country.  Through  the  foresight  of  the  last 
President  of  this  Convention,  an  ordinance  was  adopted  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  nearly  twenty  years  since,  requiring  a permit  to  be  obtained 
in  all  cases  previous  to  the  removal  of  a dead  body  from  the  city.  As, 
in  consequence  of  the  growth  of  the  city,  nearly  all  the  dead  are 
removed  to  other  places  for  burial,  the  practical  operation  of  the 
ordinance  in  New  York,  at  the  present  time,  is  precisely  what  I have 
recommended.  The  plan  proposed  is  also  in  operation  in  Buffalo,  and 
perhaps  in  some  other  cities. 

It  is  a constant  source  of  regret  to  Health  Officers,  and  to  all  who 
are  interested  in  sanitary  science,  that  we  have  no  registration  of  cases 
of  sickness  as  well  as  of  deaths.  Only  a small  portion  of  the  sickness 
which  exists  at  all  times  proves  fatal,  and  we  therefore  receive  no 
official  knowledge  of  its  existence,  and  yet,  the  information  relating 
to  cases  of  disease  in  a community  is  more  important  to  the  Health 
Officer,  with  reference  to  preventive  sanitary  measures,  than  that  relat- 
ing to  deaths.  I do  not  think,  however,  that  it  is  advisable  to  attempt 
to  obtain  this  information  in  connection  with  the  registration  of  births, 
marriages,  and  deaths. 

The  information  in  relation  to  cases  of  sickness  in  a community  must 
be  obtained,  if  at  all,  directly  from  the  physicians  themselves.  The 
Board  of  Health,  in  oux  cities,  usually  have,  and  always  should  have, 
the  power  to  call  for  this  information  whenever  the  interests  of  the 
public  health  require  it.  But,  after  all,  their  success  in  obtaining 
' reports  of  cases  of  disease  will  depend  very  much  upon  the  interest 
which  physicians  can  be  induced  to  take  in  the  subject,  and  it  will 
be  difficult  to  obtain  any  valuable  information,  by  penal  enactments, 


210 


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which  cannot  better  be  obtained  by  appeals  to  their  professional 
pride  in  behalf  of  sanitary  science. 

In  the  city  of  Providence,  all  cases  of  smallpox  and*  varioloid, 
are  promptly  reported  by  physicians  to  the  Superintendent  of  Health, 
and  I have  no  doubt  that  reports  of  other  diseases  could  he  obtained, 
if  requested. 

Whatever  system  of  registration  may  he  adopted  in  a city,  its 
efficiency,  and  the  importance  of  its  results  to  the  community,  will 
depend,  to  a very  great  extent,  upon  the  officer  who  is  intrusted  with 
its  management, 

The  Registrar  should  he  a well-qualified  physician,  familiar  with, 
hut  not  engaged  in,  the  practice  of  medicine.  No  one  but  an  intelli- 
gent physician  can  be  qualified  to  perceive  and  correct  the  errors  and 
blunders  so  frequently  found  in  the  returns  of  deaths,  and  most  certainly 
the  analysis  of  these  returns,  and  the  application  of  the  knowledge 
obtained  to  the  prevention  of  disease,  require  a medical  education, 
and  afford  an  ample  and  interesting  field  for  the  exercise  of  medical 
talent. 

I have  thus  attempted  to  state  the  general  principles  relating  to  a 
system  of  registration  of  births,  marriages,  and  deaths,  with  particular 
reference  to  cities,  and  have,  designedly,  endeavored  to  show  the 
general  principles  relating  to  the  subject,  rather  than  to  enter  into 
particulars  which  could  have  only  a local  application,  and  which  must 
be  changed  to  meet  the  peculiar  wants,  laws,  and  customs  of  different 
communities. 


In  the  Appendix  will  be  found  a more  specific  expression,  in  the  form  of  an 
ordinance,  of  a few  of  the  principal  features  of  the  system  of  registration  proposed 
in  this  report,  and  also  a specimen  of  the  blanks  for  returns  which  seem  to  me  to  be 
best  adapted  to  obtain  the  objects  desired.  The  blank  for  returns  of  marriages  is 
given  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  Rhode  Island,  as  this  seemed  to  me  to  be  more 
useful,  at  the  present  time,  than  the  form  of  a contract  as  recommended  in  the 
preceding  report, 


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211 


APPENDIX. 


[The  following  portions  of  an  ordinance  are  based  upon  the  supposition  that  the  State 
Legislature  has  conferred  upon  cities  the  power  to  make  ordinances  upon  the  subject, 
and  that  it  has  also  made  all  necessary  laws  for  the  regulation  of  marriages  and  for 
preserving  the  record  of  them.  The  ordaining  clause  and  other  particulars  must  be 
changed  to  meet  the  wants  and  customs  of  each  city.] 

AN  ORDINANCE  in  Relation  to  the  Registration  of  Births,  Marriages, 

and  Deaths. 

It  is  ordained  by  the  City  Council  of  the  City  of  as  follows  : 

Section  1.  A City  Registrar  shall  he  appointed  by  the  Board  of 
Health,  who  shall  be  a well-qualified  graduate  in  medicine,  and  who 
shall  hold  his  office  for  the  term  of  years  from  the  first  day 

of  J anuary  next  after  his  appointment,  unless  sooner  removed  by  the 
Board  of  Health. 

Section.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  City  Registrar  to  keep  a 
faithful  record  of  all  the  births,  marriages,  and  deaths  in  said  city,  in 
accordance  with  the  laws  of  the  State,  and  in  accordance  with  such 
regulations,  consistent  with  such  laws,  as  may  be  made  from  time  to 
time  by  the  Board  of  Health. 

Section  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  City  Registrar,  semi- 
annually in  the  months  of  January  and  July,  to  obtain  by  a census 
from  house  to  house,  and  to  record,  the  information  required  in  rela- 
tion to  all  the  children  in  the  city  who  have  been  born  during  the  six 
months  next  preceding. 

Section  4.  The  City  .Registrar  shall  furnish  to  the  Board  of 
Health,  at  any  time,  such  information  as  they  may  require  in  relation 
to  the  returns  of  deaths,  or  any  other  subject  connected  with  the  duties 
of  his  office.  He  shall  also,  annually,  in  the  months  of  January  or 
February,  prepare  a report  in  relation  to  the  births,  marriages,  and 
deaths  in  the  city,  during  the  year  ending  with  the  thirty-first  day  of 
December  next  preceding,  with  such  tables  and  observations  as  he  may 
deem  important,  and  as  may  be  required  by  the  Board  of  Health. 

Section  5.  The  Board  of  Health  may  appoint  a sufficient  number 
of  qualified  physicians  as  Assistant  Registrars,  in  each  ward  of  the 
city,  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  as  hereafter  provided,  to  grant  permits  for 
the  burial  of  the  dead,  and  to  make  an  examination  in  cases  where  no 
physician’s  certificate  of  the  cause  of  death  can  be  obtained. 

Section  6.  No  person  shall  bury,  or  place  in  a tomb,  or  remove 
from  the  city  for  burial,  or  otherwise  dispose  of  the  dead  body  of  any 
human  being  who  shall  die  in  the  city,  without  a*  permit  first  had  and 
obtained  from  the  City  Registrar,  or  from  one  of  the  Assistant, 
Registrars. 


212 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


Section  7.  No  permit  shall  be  given  as  provided  in  Section  6, 
until  the  Registrar  or  Assistant  Registrar  is  furnished  with  the 
information  required  for  record  in  relation  to  the  deceased  person,  so 
far  as  the  same  can  he  ascertained,  together  with  the  attending  phy- 
sician’s certificate  of  the  cause  of  death,  whenever  it  can  be  obtained, 
or  a coroner’s  certificate  whenever  a coroner’s  inquest  has  been  held. 
Whenever  a permit  for  burial  is  applied  for  in  a case  of  death  without 
the  attendance  of  a physician,  or  if  it  is  impossible  to  obtain  the  phy- 
sician’s certificate,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Assistant  Registrar  in 
the  ward  in  which  the  death  occurred,  to  visit  and  view  the  body  of 
the  deceased  person,  and  to  make  all  necessary  inquiries  respecting 
the  death,  and  when  he  has  obtained  satisfactory  evidence  in  relation 
to  the  cause  and  circumstances  of  the  death,  he  shall  sign  the  certi- 
ficate, and  give  a permit  for  burial.  If  not  satisfied  in  relation  to  the 
cause  and  circumstances  of  the  death,  or  if,  in  his  opinion,  the  public 
good  requires  it,  he  shall  report  the  case  to  a coroner  for  investigation. 

Section  8.  Whenever  a person  shall  die  in  the  city  under  the 
care  of  a physician,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  physician  attending  in 
his  or  her  last  sickness,  to  furnish  to  the  undertaker,  when  requested, 
a certificate,  giving  the  name  of  the  person,  the  date  of  death,  and  the 
disease  or  cause  of  death. 

Section  9.  No  person  shall  carry  on  the  business  of  an  under- 
taker, or  bury,  or  place  in  a tomb,  or  remove  from  the  city  for  burial, 
the  dead  body  of  any  human  being,  without  a license  first  had  and 
obtained  from  the  Board  of  Health,  and  the  Board  of  Health  shall 
have  power  to  revoke  and  annul  any  such  license  at  their  discretion. 


[There  are  many  other  items  which  would  be  necessary  for  a complete  ordinance 
upon  the  subject,  the  precise  nature  of  which  would  depend  upon  the  local  circum- 
stances and  wants  of  each  city.  Some  of  these  are  the  following : the  salary  or  fees  of 
the  City  Registrar,  and  of  the  assistant  registrars,  the  employment  of  clerks,  pro- 
visions for  the  preservation  of  the  records,  penalty  on  physicians  and  undertakers, 
and  a statement  of  the  items  of  information  to  be  obtained.  I would  also  recom- 
mend that  a small  fee  be  allowed  to  undertakers  for  making  returns  of  death.] 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


213 


RETURN  OF  A BIRTH. 

WARD  VIII. 

CITY  OF  PROVIDENCE. 


1.  Date  of  Birth.? July  4,  1860. 

2.  Name  of  the  Child? James  Jackson  Johnson. 

3.  Sex? Male. 

4.  Color? White. 

6.  No.  of  Child  of  Mother  ? ... . Sixth. 

6.  Place  of  Birth,  Street  and  No.  .No.  29  Carew  Street. 

7.  Father’s  Name? William  Star  Johnson. 

8.  Father’s  Age? 34  Years. 

9.  Father’s  Occupation  ? Moulder. 

10.  Father’s  Birthplace? Albany,  N.  Y. 

11.  Mother’s  Name  ? Mary  Jane  Johnson. 

12.  Mother’s  Maiden  Name  ?. . . .Mary  Jane  Jackson. 

13.  Mother’s  Age  ? 30  Years. 

14.  Mother’s  Birthplace? Providence,  R.  I. 

15.  Remarks  ? 


Mother,  Informant. 


N.  B.  — At  No.  2,  give  the  full  name  of  the  child,  and  be  particular  to  get  middle 
names  in  full.  At  No.  4,  state  whether  the  child  is  white,  black,  or  mulatto.  At  No.  5, 
state  whether  it  is  the  1st,  2d,  3d,  &c.,  child  of  the  mother.  At  No.  6,  give  the  street 
and  number,  if  in  the  city ; the  town  and  State,  if  elsewhere  in  the  country.  At  Nos. 
8 and  13,  give  the  age  at  the  last  birthday.  At  Nos.  10  and  14,  give  the  town  and 
State,  if  in  this  country. 

If  the  child  was  stillborn,  or  has  died  since  birth,  state  the  facts  at  No.  15,  with  any 
other  facts  of  interest. 

In  case  of  twins  or  triplets,  a separate  blank  is  to  be  filled  for  each  child. 


214 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 
9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 


RETURN  OF  A DEATH. 


CITY  OF 


Date  of  Death  ? 

Name  in  full? 

Age  ? 

® ~ ■)  Street  and  No. 

S 5 3 Ward  ? 

Sex  ? 

Color  ? 

Condition  ? 

Occupation? 

Where  Born  ? 

Father’s  Name  ? 

Mother’s  Name? 

Birthplace  of  Parents  ? . 
Where  Buried  ? 


January  10,  1860. 

Louisa  Fallon  Marcy. 

33  Years.  4 Months.  18  Days. 
Percy  Street. 

8. 

F. 

W. 

M.  — Wife  of  George. 
Housekeeper. 

Providence. 

James  Fallon. 

Louisa  Fallon. 

Fa.  Ireland.  Mo.  U.  S. 

Vernon  Cemetery. 

James  Fallon,  Informant. 


N.  B.  — At  Nos.  4 and  5,  give  the  place  where  the  person  died.  At  No.  8,  state 
whether  married  or  single,  widow  or  widower.  At  No.  13,  state  the  country  in  which 
each  parent  was  bom. 


PHYSICIAN’S  CERTIFICATE. 

Date  of  Death  ? January  10,  1860. 

Name  ? Louisa  Fallon  Marcy. 

Disease  ? 1.  Primary.  Consumption. 

11  2.  Secondary.  Pneumonia. 


Duration  of  Disease?  1.  7 months.  2.  6 days. 

James  Hunter,  Physician. 

I certify  that  the  above  is  a true  return , to  the  best  of  my  belief. 

Philip  W alley,  Undertaker. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


215 


RETURN  OF  A MARRIAGE. 

STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND. 

1.  Full  name  of  Groom  ? William  Rollins  Hanson. 

2.  Place  of  Residence? Providence. 

3.  Age  ? 34  Years. 

4.  Color? White. 

5.  Occupation  ? Machinist. 

6.  Place  of  Birth  ? Worcester,  Mass. 

7.  Father’s  Name? Joseph  Damon  Hanson. 

8.  Mother’s  Maiden  Name  ? Rebecca  Mason. 

9.  No.  of  Groom’s  Marriage?.  ...First. 


10.  Full  name  of  Bride  ? Eliza  Lacy  Stone. 

(Maiden  name  if  a Widow  ?.  .Eliza  Lacy  Jones. 

11.  Place  of  Residence? Seekonk,  Mass. 

12.  Age? 32  Years. 

13.  Color? White. 

14.  Place  of  Birth  ? Providence. 

15.  Father’s  Name? Martin  Jones. 

16.  Mother’s  Maiden  Name  ? Lydia  Harmon. 

17.  No.  of  Bride’s  Marriage?. . . .Second. 

N.  B.  — At  Nos.  4 and  13,  state  whether  white,  black,  or  mulatto.  At  Nos.  9 and 
17,  state  whether  1st,  2d,  3d,  &c.  marriage  of  each. 


Providence,  R.  I.,  June  14,  1860. 
We,  the  Groom  and  Bride  named  in  the  above  certificate , hereby 
certify  that  the  information  given  is  correct  to  the  best  of  our  knowledge 
and  belief. 

William  R.  Hanson,  Groom. 
Eliza  L.  Stone,  Bride. 

Signed  in  presence  of  Henry  Vars, 

and  Matilda  Whiting. 


N.  B.  — The  above  blanks  must  be  filled,  and  the  certificate  must  be  signed  by  both 
Groom  and  Bride,  and  must  be  given  to  the  person  about  to  solemnize  the  marriage, 
before  the  marriage  can  be  legally  solemnized  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island. 


STATE  OP  RHODE  ISLAND 


216 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


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THE 

UTILITY  AND  APPLICATION  OF  HEAT 

AS  A 

D I S I NFECTANT. 


BY  ELISHA  HARRIS,  M.D.,  OF  NEW  YORK. 


APPENDIX  C. 


THE  UTILITY  AND  APPLICATION  OP  HEAT 
AS  A DISINFECTANT. 


The  Utility  and  Applications  of  elevated  Temperatures, 
by  Steam  or  by  Dry  Heat,  as  Means  for  the  immediate  and 

EFFECTUAL  DISINFECTION  OF  PESTILENTIAL  FOMITES,  INFECTED 

Vessels,  and  contaminated  Apartments. 

The  various  applications  of  fire  are  among  the  most  ancient  and  com- 
mon methods  employed  for  destroying  specific  infections,  and  for  puri- 
fying contaminated  places;  hut  the  practical  objections  to  any  de- 
structive methods  for  disinfecting  febrile  fomites  must  naturally  pre- 
vent them  from  being  extensively  adopted  or  faithfully  applied  as 
hygienic  measures,  except  in  rare  cases  and  under  the  strictest  police 
surveillance ; and  however  effective  may  be  the  direct  applications  of 
fire  or  conflagration  for  the  general  purposes  of  disinfection,  the  fol- 
lowing obvious  objections  preclude  their  utility  and  forbid  their  general 
adoption  : — 

1.  The  absolute  loss  of  all  the  materials  that  are  subjected  to  an 
incinerating  or  carbonizing  heat. 

2.  The  difficulty  of  concentrating  deleterious  miasmata  and  the  at- 
mosphere of  contaminated  places  so  as  to  subject  them  successfully 
to  processes  of  combustion. 

3.  The  excessive  cost  of  maintaining  fires  for  the  purposes  of  the 
local  disinfection  of  a contaminated  atmosphere. 

This  last-named  objection  applies  especially  to  what  has  popularly 
been  supposed  the  readiest  and  cheapest  method  for  disinfecting  the 
pestilent  gases  of  sewers  and  all  large  cloacae ; but  not  to  domestic 
latrines  and  closets,  nor  to  the  deleterious  gases  of  manufactories.  On 
this  subject  Dr.  Letheby  remarks,  in  his  interesting  Report  on 
Sewer  Gases  : “ The  value  of  jirt  as  a disinfectant  was  known  and 

has  been  recognized  since  the  remotest  times.  . . . Powerful, 

however,  as  the  agent  is,  it  does  not  appear  to  be  applicable 
to  the  destruction  of  sewer  gases.  . . . The  cost  of  fuel 

for  the  furnaces  (for  the  sewers  of  London)  would  not  be  less  than 
£80,000,  and  perhaps  it  might  reach  to  upwards  of  £200,000.” 

Without  recounting  in  detail  the  legendary  story  of  pestilent 
atmospheres  and  contaminated  places  disinfected  by  the  fires  that  Em- 


220 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


pedocles,  Acron  of  Agrigentum,  or  Hippocrates  himself  directed  to  be 
kindled,  and  which  were  accompanied  with  such  apparently  successful 
results  as  led  Pliny  to  say  uEst  et  ipsis  ignibus  medica  vis;”  and 
without  discussing  the  difficulties  and  doubts  that  have  always  char- 
acterized the  various  plans  for  disinfection,  — it  is  the  object  of  this 
paper  to  elucidate  those  feasible,  economical,  and  safe  applications  of 
heat  as  a disinfectant,  which  by  their  simplicity,  obvious  practicability, 
and  extensive  utility,  shall  serve  to  commend  this  subject  to  the  care- 
ful attention  of  all  persons  who  are  interested  in  measures  for  protec- 
tion from,  and  the  removal  of,  pestilent  infection,  whether  of  domestic 
or  of  exotic  origin. 

It  should  here  be  stated  that  the  writer’s  attention  was  first  drawn 
to  the  practical  consideration  of  this  subject  by  the  responsible  duties 
that  devolved  upon  him  as  the  chief  officer  of  the  New  York  quaran- 
tine hospitals  during  the  prevalence  of  yellow  fever  and  various  in- 
fectious and  contagious  diseases  then  provided  for  at  that  establish- 
ment. The  results  of  investigations  then  commenced,  fully  warrant  the 
statements  that  follow  in  this  paper. 

In  the  able  Report  by  Dr.  Van  Bibber,  on  Disinfectants,  it  is  truly 
stated  that  “ a disinfectant  for  yellow  fever  is  a desideratum.”  The 
vast  practical  importance  of  discovering  or  inventing  some  reliable  and 
practicable  method  for  promptly  destroying  the  virus  of  yellow  fever  and 
every  other  pestilent  infection  which  is  capable  of  being  conveyed  and 
propagated  by  ships  is  very  forcibly  presented  in  the  statement  of  Dr. 
Van  Bibber’s  tenth  proposition.  “Prop.  X.  The  admission  and 
knowledge  of  the  fact  that  no  disinfectant  for  diseases  of  this  class 
exists,  are  at  once  the  origin  and  the  cause  of  the  continuance  of 
quarantine.” 

It  is  sufficiently  manifest  that  if  we  were  able  to  devise  a simple  and 
practicable  method  for  absolute  disinfection  of  the  sources  of  pestilential 
diseases,  the  more  onerous  exactions  of  quarantine  would  speedily  be 
set  aside.  But  there  are  other  and  not  less  important  considerations 
which  render  such  a desideratum  highly  desirable ; the  welfare  of  the 
sick  and  the  safety  of  all  persons  who  may  be  exposed  to  either  the 
exotic  or  the  domestic  fomites  of  pestilent  maladies  call  for  such 
methods  of  immediate  and  positive  disinfection,  while  by  the  same 
means  it  might  reasonably  be  hoped  that  the  progress  of  such  diseases, 
whether  indigenous  or  imported,  would  be  effectually  arrested  by  the 
civic  authority  immediately  upon  their  first  appearance  or  localization. 

The  practical  importance  of  such  means  for  disinfection  will  be  best 
appreciated  by  reflecting  upon  the  immense  tax  that  quarantines 
inflict  upon  commerce  on  the  one  hand,  and  on  the  other,  by  investigat- 
ing the  history  and  searching  out  the  favorite  foci  of  fevers  in  our 
cities  and  our  hospital  establishments. 

Believing  that  the  great  desideratum  of  such  a practicable  and  ready 
method  of  positive  disinfection  may  be  attained,  we  now  propose  — 

1.  To  examine  the  evidences  of  the  disinfecting  power  of  high 
temperatures. 

2.  To  institute  inquiries  respecting  the  minimum  degree  of  steam  or 
dry  heat  that  may  be  relied  upon  for  the  purposes  of  disinfection. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


221 


3.  Inquire  respecting  the  highest  elevation  of  temperature  that 
various  textile  fabrics  and  staples,  and  the  ordinary  apartments  and 
furniture  of  naval  and  domiciliary  or  hospital  structures,  may  safely 
endure  for  the  brief  periods  required  for  effectual  disinfection. 

4.  Explain  and  illustrate  the  proper  methods  of  applying  both 
steam  and  dry  heat  for  various  purposes  of  effectual  disinfection. 

First.  The  Evidences  of  the  Disinfecting  Power  of  High  Tempera- 
tures. 

As  we  desire  to  be  understood  to  advocate  the  application  of  heat  at 
temperatures  compatible  with  the  preservation  of  ordinary  textile 
fabrics  and  such  other  destructible  materials  as  are  liable  to  become 
fomites  and  carriers  of  pestilent  infection,  it  is  proper  that  we  should 
take,  in  evidence  of  disinfection,  only  such  cases  as  have  afforded  re- 
liable results,  with  known  or  limited  increments  of  temperature.  It 
is  manifestly  necessary  that  the  degrees  of  heat  resorted  to  be  consid- 
erably below  those  temperatures  that  induce  combustion,  or  even  the 
slightest  degree  of  carbonization.  It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that  the 
temperature  of  common  flame  is  about  1,140°  F.;  red  embers  about 
980°  F.;  boiling  water  212°  F.,  and  the  lowest  scalding  heat  at  150° 
F.,  and  upwards;  while  dry  vegetable  tissues,  as  ascertained  by  M. 
Violette,  enter  upon  the  first  stage  of  carbonization  at  a temperature 
of  150°  centigrade,  or  222°  F.;  ovens  bake  at  from  320°  to  400°  F.; 
sulphur  ignites  at  560°,  cane  sugar  melts  at  320°,  and  liquid  albumen 
coagulates  at  145°  F. 

Though  it  might  not  be  improper  to  indulge  in  some  reasoning 
a priori  in  the  investigation  of  a subject  like  this,  it  is,  perhaps,  best 
that  we  depend  solely  upon  the  tests  of  experiment  and  the  results  of 
experience,  in  the  argument  pursued  in  this  paper,  which  is  designed 
solely  for  practical  objects  and  the  promotion  of  immediate  and  spe- 
cific improvements  in  quarantine  and  hospital  hygiene.  But  we  cannot 
forbear  noticing  such  strikingly  suggestive  facts  as  the  following,  viz : 
that  all  vegetable  life  is  extinguished  at  a temperature  far  below  that 
of  boiling  water,  and  that  animal  and  organic  life  generally  is  de- 
stroyed by  a comparatively  brief  application  of  heat  that  coagulates 
albumen,  — that  is,  at  about  145°  F.;  that  all  kinds  of  fermentative 
catalysis  cease  at  a temperature  below  that  which  coagulates  albumen  ; 
and,  in  short,  that  by  the  agency  of  an  elevated  temperature  all  pro- 
cesses and  conditions  in  nature  that  bear  any  analogy  to  the  incuba- 
tion, propagation,  and  effects  of  pestilent  infections,  are  arrested,  con- 
trolled, or  so  modified  as  to  warrant  the  inference  at  least,  that  all 
infections  which  are  transportable,  and  all  fomites  of  infection,  might 
be  rendered  inoperative  by  means  of  high  heat.  Yet,  until  experi- 
ment or  varied  experience  has  demonstrated  the  practical  truthfulness 
of  this  inference,  we  must  appeal  to  rigid  facts  and  observations. 

The  first  and  most  commonplace  fact  which  has  been  incontroverti- 
bly  established  by  experience,  is  this, — that  in  all  places,  and  under 
widely  varied  circumstances,  the  boiling  or  the  steaming  of  infected 
clothing  has  invariably  proved  to  be  an  effectual  means  of  disinfection  ; 
while  in  progress  of  the  same  experience,  in  almost  every  hospital  or 
private  washroom  for  such  contaminated  clothing,  has  been  taught  the 


222 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


sad  lesson  that  the  process  of  simple  washing,  previous  to  boiling  or 
steaming , is  very  hazardous  work  to  the  persons  engaged  in  it.  This 
we  regard  as  an  important  element  of  evidence,  derived  from  common 
experience  wherever  typhus,  smallpox,  scarlatina,  or  the  exotic  fomites 
of  yellow  fever  have  been  exposed  in  washhouses  or  storerooms.  We 
need  not  encumber  this  paper  with  narratives  of  particular  instances 
illustrating  this  subject.  Such  instances  are  familiar  to  most  persons 
who  have  observed  the  progress  of  infectious  fevers  in  cities  and  large 
towns. 

The  special  experience  — some  of  which  has  been  experimen- 
tal — connected  with  certain  public  hospitals,  may  here  be  referred 
to,  and  although  the  amount  of  actual  experimental  experience  is  yet 
very  meagre,  it  is  highly  instructive,  and  strongly  corroborates  the 
opinion  that  moderately  elevated  temperatures  may  be  universally 
applicable  for  purposes  of  disinfection. 

First,  and  perhaps  the  most  conclusive  of  any  single  record  of  ex- 
periment and  direct  experience,  we  would  mention  the  instances 
recorded  by  Dr.  Yon  Busch  of  Berlin.  That  gentleman  carefully 
narrates  the  history  of  a fatal  epidemic  of  puerperal  or  childbed  fever 
occurring  in  the  Berlin  Lying-in  Hospital,  during  the  months  of  Feb- 
ruary and  March,  1851,  and  which  obstinately  clung  to  the  wards 
even  after  a most  thorough  cleansing  of  the  establishment.  Again,  for 
the  preservation  of  their  lives,  the  inmates  of  the  institution  were 
removed.  Seeing  the  utter  inutility  of  all  the  efforts  that  had  been 
made  to  eradicate  that  domestic  pestilence  of  the  lying-in  chamber, 
Dr.  Yon  Busch  then  determined  upon  heating  all  the  wards,  for  a 
brief  period,  to  a temperature  of  150°  F.  or  upwards.  In  all  the 
wards  he  steadily  maintained  a dry  heat  of  from  52°  to  60°  Keaumur, 
during  two  consecutive  days ; all  the  beds,  wardrobes,  and  hospital 
utensils  being  retained  in  the  wards.  The  result  was  triumphant. 
The  wards  were  immediately  reoccupied  with  the  same  class  of  patients 
as  before,  and  having  the  same  individual  liabilities  to  puerperal  fever. 
But  the  pestilential  infection  had  been  completely  banished  and  anni- 
hilated from  the  wards,  and  now  the  inmates  of  that  maternity  hospi- 
tal lived  to  rejoice  in  the  fruit  of  their  labor. 

Here  was  demonstrated  the  interesting  fact  that  one  of  the  most 
pestilent,  persistent,  and  dreaded  types  of  febrile  infection  was  speedily 
and  effectually  eradicated  by  simply  elevating  the  temperature  of  the 
infected  apartments  to  149° — 167°  F.  by  means  of  common  stoves. 

The  value  of  this  record  is  enhanced  and  its  practical  lessons  con- 
firmed by  the  recurrence  of  similar  events  in  the  same  institution 
during  the  subsequent  winter,  when  the  same  fearful  malady  again  made 
its  appearance  there,  and  was  as  promptly  and  effectually  driven  from 
the  wards  as  in  the  former  instance,  and  did  not  reappear  for  a period 
of  more  than  six  months.* 

No  physician,  who  is  familiar  with  the  nature  and  habits  of  the 
puerperal  infection  will  doubt  the  evidences  here  presented  of  the  dis- 

* See  the  aNeue  Zeitsckrift  fur  GeburtsTcunde ,”  p.  313,  Berlin,  1862.  See  also,  on 
the  same  subject,  some  remarks  by  M.  Paul  Dubois , M.  D.,  in  the  Gazette  des  Ilopitaux, 
1863;  also,  in  the  Bulletin  de  Therapeutique , Nov.  1853. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


223 


infecting  power  of  dry  heat  in  the  wards  of  the  Berlin  Lying-in  Hos- 
pital. Other  means  might  possibly  have  been  successfully  applied  to 
the  accomplishment  of  the  same  end,  but  none  so  certainly  or  so  eco- 
nomically. Thorough  cleansing  and  natural  ventilation  had  failed  to 
free  the  wards  from  infection,  and  that  is  precisely  what  has  again  and 
again  occurred  in  typhus,  and  in  smallpox  wards,  and  in  apartments, 
houses,  and  ships  contaminated  with  yellow-fever  infection. 

It  is  conceded  that  the  puerperal  infection  is  a perfect  analogue  of, 
if  it  is  not  exactly  identical  with  the  virus  or  infection  of  typhus, 
erysipelas,  and  hospital  gangrene.*  Hence  we  may  justly  infer  that 
apartments  or  wards  which  have  become  infected  with  those  maladies 
may  be  as  readily  disinfected  by  heat  as  were  the  wards  of  the  Berlin 
Maternity  Hospital. 

The  vast  practical  importance  of  some  prompt  and  effectual  method 
of  disinfection  from  the  local  contamination  of  typhus,  erysipelas, 
hospital  gangrene,  and  all  other  febrile  poisons  in  our  hospitals,  and  in 
all  apartments  or  places  that  become  foci  of  infectious  maladies,  is  so 
obvious  that  we  cannot  doubt  that  any  such  method,  when  shown  to 
be  practicable  and  safe,  will  be  generally  adopted  by  hospital  physi- 
cians and  sanitary  officers. 

The  frequent  recurrence  of  hospital  gangrene,  typhus,  erysipelas, 
and  puerperal  infections  in  hospitals ; the  fatality  of  their  operation ; 
and  their  obstinate  and  insidious  persistence  in  wards  and  sick-rooms, 
are  events  too  painfully  familiar  to  medical  men.  Even  in  the  admira- 
bly conducted  New  York  Hospital,  on  Broadway,  we  have  known  the 
infection  of  typhus  or  ship  fever  to  linger  persistently  for  days  and 
weeks,  in  the  frigid  temperature  of  winter,  with  all  the  windows  and 
doors  widely  open,  after  complete  evacuation  and  the  most  thorough 
scrubbing,  whitewashing,  and  renovation. 

But  to  the  proofs  of  the  disinfecting  power  of  an  elevated  temper- 
ature. It  must  be  confessed  that  the  cases  that  can  be  quoted  as 
proofs  are  yet  too  few  to  afford  the  requisite  conditions  for  satisfactory 
demonstration  of  the  proposition  we  seek  to  establish  in  this  paper. 
Yet  we  have  a variety  of  facts  to  present,  which  afford  very  strong 
cumulative  evidences  of  the  universal  applicability  and  the  complete 
efficiency  of  heat  for  purposes  of  disinfection.  And  such  is  the  value 
of  these  evidences  and  the  vast  importance  of  a practical  application 
of  such  knowledge  to  sanitary  works  wherever  there  exist  fomites  or 
foci  of  febrile  infection,  that  the  writer  of  this  paper  deems  it  to  be 
his  duty  to  present  all  the  reliable  facts  he  has  been  able  to  gather, 
and  he  would  present  them  in  the  light  in  which  he  has  viewed  them, 
even  at  the  risk  of  being  thought  too  hasty  in  his  deductions. 

Before  proceeding  to  record  the  results  of  the  direct  experiments 
and  special  observations,  which  will  tend  to  confirm  those  of  Hr.  Yon 
Busch,  and  establish  the  truth  of  the  proposition  here  advanced,  the 
results  of  the  writer’s  personal  observations  and  experience  may  here 
be  inserted. 

During  a protracted  and  instructive  experience  in  the  superintend- 

* See  an  Essay  on  the  Causes  and  Propagation  of  Puerperal  Fever , by  Prof.  Joseph 
M.  Smith,  of  New  York,  in  the  New  York  Journal  of  Medicine,  Sept.  1857. 


224  National  Quarantine  Convention. 

ence  of  the  New  York  Quarantine  Hospitals  the  following  significant 
facts  were  noted. 

During  a period  of  nearly  fifty  years,  the  washing  and  drying  of 
the  contaminated  clothing  from  hospital  patients  and  infected  vessels  had 
been  performed  in  the  ordinary  way  without  the  use  of  steam.  The 
diffusion  of  fatal  fevers  from  those  fomites  of  infection  was  notorious 
during  that  protracted  period.  Immediately  after  the  introduction  of 
steam-tubs  for  boiling,  and  a steam-heated  chamber  for  drying  the 
clothing,  and  obviously  as  a result  of  those  improvements,  the  occur- 
rence of  infectious  or  quarantine  diseases  among  the  washerwomen  of 
that  establishment  ceased, — or  at  least  they  occurred  hut  very  rarely, 
and  then  from  sources  to  which  the  steam  heat  had  not  been  applied. 

Early  in  the  summer  of  1856,  when  large  quantities  of  dunnage 
were  ordered  to  the  washhouse  from  vessels  infected  with  yellow 
fever,  I ascertained  that  the  two  washerwomen  who  were  attacked  with 
that  malady  had  been  handling  and  washing  various  articles  of  cloth- 
ing previous  to  steaming  or  boiling  them.  Though  those  unfortunate 
washers  might  have  contracted  the  fever  elsewhere  fhan  in  the  wash- 
room, it  was  deemed  expedient  to  use  greater  precautions  against 
infection,  and  accordingly  directions  were  given  that  all  clothing,  both 
from  ships  and  hospitals,  should  be  steamed  in  the  closed  tubs  pre- 
vious to  being  distributed  to  the  washers.  Infected  dunnage  and 
clothing  continued  to  be  received  in  large  quantities  for  several 
months  subsequent  to  that  order,  but  no  more  cases  of  yellow  fever 
occurred  among  the  washers. 

Again,  in  the  summer  of  1859,  a floating  hospital  was  placed 
under  my  superintendence  for  the  reception  and  care  of  all  cases  of 
yellow  fever  and  other  pestilential  diseases  arriving  at  the  port  of  New 
York.  The  practice  of  burning  all  dunnage,  bedding,  and  other 
clothing  from  infected  vessels  having  obtained  favor  with  the  authori- 
ties who  witnessed  the  same  expensive  and  unsatisfactory  process 
applied  to  the  entire  quarantine  establishment,  it  had  been  advised  that 
a like  summary  method  of  purification  be  continued  in  connection  with 
the  hospital  ship,  — the  famous  iron  scow  for  the  burning  of  infected 
ships’  clothing,  bedding,  and  dunnage,  being  still  in  existence.  Ac- 
cordingly, no  apparatus  or  provision  of  any  kind  had  been  placed 
on  board  for  the  cleansing  or  for  the  reception  and  proper  care  of 
infected  ships’  clothing,  nor  even  for  the  washing  and  preservation  of  the 
clothing  of  the  patients  and  their  bedding.  The  hospital  ship  had 
already  been  placed  at  the  yellow-fever  anchorage,  — twenty  miles 
from  the  city,  — and  was  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  sick  with  fever. 
Under  these  circumstances  a washroom  was,  under  my  direction, 
hastily  extemporized,  — furnished  with  a copper  steam-generator  and 
capacious  steam-vats,  steam  wash-tubs,  etc.  This  apparatus  was 
placed  in  one  of  the  galleries  that  had  previously  been  constructed 
upon  the  outside  of  the  vessel  amidship,  and  to  the  after  end  of  each 
of  which,  entrance  was  made  by  the  gangway  outside,  both  from  boats 
and  the  wards. 

Into  the  steam-vats  was  thrown  every  infected  thing  received  from 
vessels,  as  well  as  all  hospital  and  patients’  clothing,  etc.,  that  required 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


225 


cleansing.  All  articles  from  infected  vessels  were  received  directly 
into  the  steam-chamber,  from  boats,  without  entering  the  ship  itself, 
or  in  any  manner  exposing  it  or  its  inmates  to  the  danger  of  infectious 
contamination ; while  in  the  wards  of  the  hospital,  a like  safe  regula- 
tion was  adopted,  requiring  every  article,  as  soon  as  soiled,  to  be  re- 
moved to  the  steam-vats ; and  there  all  substances  capable  of  being 
febrile  fomites  were  instantaneously  heated  to  the  boiling  point,  or 
even  a higher  temperature.  It  will  be  observed  that  these  arrange- 
ments contemplated  the  preservation  of  both  the  clothing  and  the 
wards  from  becoming  fomites  or  foci  of  infection. 

The  prediction  having  been  reiterated  by  many  persons  that  the 
hospital  ship  would  certainly  become  infected,  and  be  in  itself  a focus  of 
pestilence,  we  are  happy  now  to  record  the  fact  that  with  twelve  cases 
of  yellow  fever,  and  with  twelve  cases  of  other  maladies  far  more  lia- 
ble to  personal  or  fometic  communication,  there  was  not  an  hour  of 
sickness  among  all  the  employes  of  the  Floating  Hospital  during  the 
six  months  it  continued  in  service,  though  the  washerwomen  and  ten  of 
the  other  employes  had  never  suffered  from  yellow  fever,  and  had  no 
specific  protection  from  any  disease  except  smallpox. 

It  is  admitted  that  such  limited  and  imperfect  observations  neces- 
sarily fail  to  answer  the  requirements  of  rigid  demonstration,  but  they 
eertainly  go  to  augment  and  corroborate  that  cumulative  evidence  by 
means  of  which  an  absolute  demonstration  is  to  be  eventually  effected. 

There  have  been  instituted  at  various  times  and  for  different  pur- 
poses certain  experimental  tests  of  the  efficiency  of  heat  as  a disinfect- 
ant, that,  like  the  experiments  of  Dr.  Yon  Busch,  have  furnished 
results  which  are  quite  as  instructive  as  those  witnessed  in  the  Berlin 
Maternity  Hospital. 

Some  time  ago,  when  engaged  in  an  investigation  of  the  history  of 
efforts  for  the  improvement  and  relief  of  quarantines,  I was  led  to 
examine  some  very  interesting  and  valuable  papers  by  the  late  Wm. 
Henry,  M.  D.,  F.  B.  S.,  of  Manchester,  a successor  and  biographer  of 
the  distinguished  Dr.  Priestley.  Dr.  Henry’s  writings  on  this  subject 
were  based  upon  special  and  ingenious  experiments  and  inquiries 
instituted  by  him  as  early  as  the  year  1824,  and  the  results  of  which 
were  communicated  to  the  Philosophical  Magazine  in  the  years 
1831-32. 

By  a series  of  scientific  inquiries  and  most  reliable  and  exact 
experiments  that  learned  gentleman  attempted  to  determine, — 1st,  what 
elevation  of  temperature  “ cotton  and  other  substances  likely  to  harbor 
eontagion  ” of  the  plague  or  typhus  might  sustain  without  injury, — 
the  heat  being  applied  both  to  the  raw  staples  and  to  their  various 
fabrics ) — 2d,  by  the  application  of  the  proper  tests  “that  in  at  least 
some  one  unequivocal  instance,  contagious  or  infectious  matter  should 
be  proved,  by  actual  experiment,  to  be  destructible  at  that  tempera- 
ture,” and  which  previous  experiments  had  proved  would  safely  be 
endured  by  the  pestilent  fomites  for  the  time  that  should  be  requisite 
for  absolute  destruction  of  the  febrile  virus. 

The  experiments  with  material  substances  were  extended  to  a c - 
siderable  variety  of  articles,  both  raw  and  manufactured.  The 
29 


226 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


lowing  brief  summary  embodies  tbe  more  important  results  of  those 
observations  and  tests  : — 

1. — A quantity  of  raw  cotton,  subjected  to  a dry  temperature,  of 
190°  F.  which  was  steadily  kept  up  in  the  inner  compartment  of  a 
double  vessel  heated  by  steam,  during  a period  of  two  hours. 

2d. — A quantity  of  cotton  yarn,  No.  40,  subjected  to  the  same  pro- 
cess and  temperature  as  the  cotton  staple. 

Result. — The  raw  cotton  became  “ fuzzy  ” on  account  of  the  loss  of 
its  natural  moisture,  and  from  the  same  cause  the  strength  of  the  yarn 
was  for  the  time  impaired,  but  “ after  being  left  during  two  or  three 
days  in  a room  without  fire,  a great  change  had  taken  place  in  its  ap- 
pearance, and  it  was  found,  on  trial,  that  the  cotton  was  as  capable  of 
being  spun  into  perfect  yarn  as  that  originally  employed ; on  accurate 
trial  of  the  twist  which  had  been  spun  from  it,  a hank  supported  fully 
an  equal  weight  with  a hank  of  the  same  fineness  that  had  been  spun 
from  cotton  fresh  from  the  bag.  This  fact,  established  by  repeated  ex- 
periments, proves  that  with  the  recovery  of  its  hygrometrical  moisture, 
cotton  which  had  been  heated,  regains  its  tenacity,  and  becomes  as  fit 
as  ever  for  being  applied  to  manufacturing  purposes?.” 

Dr.  Henry  then  goes  on  to  state  that  the  “articles  of  cotton,  silk, 
and  wool,  after  being  manufactured,  both  separately  and  in  a mixed 
state,  into  piece  goods,  for  clothing,  were  next  submitted  to  the  same 
treatment.  Among  them  were  several  fabrics  which  were  purposely 
chosen,  of  the  most  fugitive  colors  and  delicate  textures.  After  being 
exposed  three  hours  to  a temperature  of  180°  F.,  (dry  heat,)  and  then 
left  a few  hours  in  a room  without  fire,  they  were  pronounced  perfectly 
uninjured  in  every  respect.  Furs  and  feathers,  similarly  heated,  under- 
went no  change.”  In  a subsequent  communication,  Dr.  ITenry  states 
that  he  has  since  found  that  in  most  cases  the  temperature  may  safely 
be  raised  forty  or  fifty  degrees  higher  than  was  used  in  his  first  ex- 
periments, thus  allowing  a dry  heat  of  about  220°  Fahr. 

So  much  for  the  question  of  safety  to  the  goods  exposed  to  any 
degree  of  heat  that  might  be  required  to  purify  them  under  any  cir- 
cumstances from  pestilent  infection.  In  another  section  of  this  paper 
we  shall  again  refer  to  this  subject,  and  offer  several  illustrations  in 
confirmation  these  conclusions  of  Dr.  Henry. 

In  our  present  inquiry,  as  well  as  in  the  experiments  of  the  learned 
gentleman  from  whom  we  have  just  quoted  il  the  most  important  point 
to  be  ascertained,  and  that  on  which  the  utility  of  the  inquiry  hinges,, 
is  whether  a temperature  below  212°  Fahrenheit  is  capable  of  destroy- 
ing the  contagion  of  fomites .”  With  a clear  apprehension  of  the  intri- 
cacies and  difficulty  that  must  necessarily  attend  any  reliable  measures 
for  determining  this  question,  Dr.  Henry  commenced  his  first  series  of 
experiments  for  this  purpose  by  various  tests  of  the  effects  of  heat 
upon  the  contagious  element  or  principle  of  cow-pox.  His  tests  were 
rigidly  reliable,  and  by  them  he  satisfactorily  established  the  fact 

that  the  infectious  matter  of  cow-pox  is  rendered  inert 'by  a temper- 
ature not  below  140°  Fahrenheit ; from  whence  it  was  inferred,”  says 
Dr.  Henry,  “ that  more  active  contagions  are  probably  destructible  at 
temperatures  not  exceeding  212°  F.”  He  justly  adds,  “ This  prop- 
osition it  was  obviously  within  the  reach  of  experiment  to  determine.” 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


227 


Acting  upon  this  conclusion,  Dr.  Henry  entered  upon  a series  of 
wisely  directed  experiments  and  tests  to  determine  the  disinfecting 
power  of  heat  upon  the  personal  fomites  of  typhus  fever  and  scarla- 
tina. He  made  three  experiments  with  personal  fomites  of  typhus. 
Three  flannel  shirts  taken  on  three  successive  days  from  a most  strongly 
marked  case  of  contagious  typhus,  were  subjected  to  a heat  of  204° 
F.,  for  an  hour  and  three  quarters.  These  personal  fomites , thoroughly 
charged  as  any  garment  could  be,  with  the  infectious  or  contagious 
principle  of  the  fever,  were  put  to  the  following  tests  : The  first 
flannel  jacket  was  placed  directly  under,  and  within  twelve  inches  of, 
the  nostrils  of  a person  engaged  in  writing,  and  who  was  excessively 
fatigued  from  previous  exercise  and  had  observed  an  unbroken  fast  for 
eight  hours  ; this  test  of  exposure  was  continued  for  two  hours.  The 
second  jacket,  was  worn  next  the  body  by  a person  for  two  hours; 
while  the  third  jacket,  after  the  exposure  to  heat,  “ was  kept  in  an  air- 
tight canister  for  twenty-six  days,  with  the  view  of  giving  activity 
to  any  contagious  matter  “which  might  possibly  have  escaped  decompo- 
sition.” It  was  then  placed  within  twelve  inches  of  the  face  of  a per- 
son for  four  hours  ; “ a gentle  current  being  contrived  to  blow  upon  him 
from  the  flannel  during  the  whole  time.”  In  none  of  th£se  instances 
was  the  fever  communicated,  and  no  injurious  effects  were  experienced. 

Dr.  Henry  remarks  that  he  does  not  lay  much  stress  on  so  limited  a 
number  of  facts ; but  it  is  our  purpose  to  record  all  the  more  impor- 
tant tests  that  we  have  ascertained  to  have  been  instituted  in  illustra- 
tion of  the  questions  connected  with  the  subject  of  disinfection  by 
heat.  We  will  therefore  continue  the  narration  of  still  further  exper- 
iments by  Dr.  Henry,  who  certainly  appears  to  have  entertained  very 
clear  conceptions  of  the  conditions  required  for  a scientific  demonstra- 
tion of  these  vexed  questions.  It  may  here  be  stated  that  his  first 
series  of  experiments  — those  relating  to  vaccine  virus  — were  so  con- 
ducted and  varied  as  to  afford  the  most  absolute  demonstration  of  the 
fact  that  a temperature  of  140°  F.  renders  the  freshest  vaccine  mate- 
rial completely  inert.  The  tests  resorted  to  by  that  gentleman  for 
typhus  disinfection  cannot,  from  the  very  nature  and  complexity  of  the 
conditions  involved  in  the  dissemination  of  typhus  poison,  be  regarded 
as  conclusive  demonstrations ; they  are,  rather,  cumulative  proofs. 

Scarlatina  was  the  third  type  of  specific  febrile  infections  that  Dr. 
Henry  subjected  to  his  varied  tests;  and  in  that  malady,  he  says,  “ we 
have  a disease  admirably  adapted  for  furnishing  the  necessary  evidence. 
No  one  doubts  of  its  being  infectious.*  Perhaps,  indeed,  of  all  dis- 

* Dr.  Henry  belonged  to  that  distinguished  class  of  men  whose  minds  are  trained  in 
a more  rigid  school  of  inductive  philosophy,  than  the  class  of  medical  dogmatists  who 
reject  at  sight  all  evidence,  logic,  and  fact,  that  may  not  chance  to  accord  with  their 
own  theories  and  dogmas.  Among  the  latter  class  are  those  physicians  who  sum- 
marily reject  all  evidence  respecting  febrile  infections,  and  boldly  declare  that 
“ scarlatina,  typhus,  puerperal  fever,  etc.,  are  no  more  infectious  than  a common  cold.” 
Dr.  Henry  believed  in  both  the  mediate  and  the  immediate  communication  of  typhus 
and  the  exanthemata. 


228 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


eases  with  which  nosologists  have  arranged  it  (the  exanthemata ),  it 

gives  birth  to  the  most  active  and  durable  contagion 

In  the  state  of  fomites , this  species  of  infection  has  lain  dormant  for 
many  months.” 

Having  found  a patient  suffering  from  u scarlatina  anginosa’’  Dr. 
Henry  proceeded  to  institute  the  most  reliable  tests,  by  means  of  flannel 
waistcoats,  and  the  persons  of  susceptible  and  delicate  children  that 
had  not  previously  had  the  disease ; and  following  up  these  experi- 
mental tests,  he  was  favored  with  the  opportunity  of  securing  other 
waistcoats  from  three  other  young  persons  who,  in  succession,  had 
been  infected  in  regular  sequence,  by  communication  with  each  other. 

The  infected  waistcoats  were  heated  to  a temperature  of  about 
204°  F.,  and,  with  the  exception  of  two  out  of  a large  number,  each 
was  applied  and  kept  immediately  upon  the  person  of  some  young  and 
susceptible  subject.  Two  of  the  garments  were  kept  closely  sealed  up 
for  several  days,  and,  after  being  heated,  were  applied  in  a similar 
manner. 

In  none  of  these  cases  was  the  scarlatina  communicated,  or  any  effect 
produced,  though  the  children  were  attentively  examined  every  day, 
in  order  that  no  slight  symptom  might  pass  unobserved.”  In  con- 
clusion, Dr.  Henry  says : “ The  experiments  which  we  have  related 
appear  to  me  sufficiently  numerous  to  prove  that  by  exposure  to  a 
temperature  not  below  200°  F.  during  at  least  one  hour , the  contagious 
matter  of  scarlatina  is  either  dissipated  or  destroyed .” 

There  are  many  reasons  for  believing  that  the  activity  of  the  typhus, 
scarlatina,  or  any  other  febrile  infection  may  be  entirely  destroyed  at 
a temperature  far  below  200°  F. ; but  with  the  limited  amount  of 
positive  knowledge  we  possess  relating  to  this  subject,  it  would  justly 
be  regarded  as  an  act  of  criminal  temerity  for  the  medical  inquirer 
and  experimenter,  even  for  the  sake  of  the  profoundest  scientific  dis- 
coveries, or  for  the  probable  future  advantages  to  humanity,  to  expose 
any  human  being  to  the  hazard  of  being  brought  needlessly  near  to 
the  point  at  which  it  were  believed  that  a fatal  or  dangerous  febrile 
poison  would  be  communicated.  It  is  always  easy  to  obtain  a local 
temperature  of  200°  or  212°  F.  in  any  apartment  or  apparatus  that 
would  be  required  for  disinfecting  pestilent  fomites ; and,  as  was 
shown  by  Dr.  Henry’s  experiments,  with  the  various  textile  fabrics 
and  their  staples,  they  endure  such  a temperature  without  injury. 

Though  we  have  already  extended  this  resume  of  Dr.  Henry’s 
experiments  much  beyond  the  limits  we  had  assigned  for  the  purpose, 
we  cannot  forbear  the  following  question,  which  he  proposes : — 

“ The  circumstances  under  which  the  experiments  were  conducted 
render  it,  I think,  demonstrable,  that  the  disinfecting  agency  belongs  to 
heat  alone;”  (i.  e.  in  these  tests;)  “for  the  receptacle  in  which  the 
infected  waistcoats  were  placed  having  in  every  instance  been  closed, 
change  of  air  could  have  had  no  share  in  the  effect.  The  phenomena, 
then,  are  reduced  to  their  simplest  form ; and  the  results  put  us  in 
possession  of  a disinfecting  agent  the  most  searching  that  Nature 
affords;  — one  that  penetrates  into  the  inmost  recesses  of  matter  in 
all  its  various  states.” 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


229 


The  writer  of  this  paper  commenced  his  inquiries  without  any 
definite  knowledge  of  Dr.  Henry’s  experiments,  and  after  a partial 
investigation  of  the  various  questions  connected  with  the  problem  of 
disinfection  by  heat  or  steam,  the  great  importance  as  well  as  difficulty 
of  direct  experimental  tests  led  him  to  examine  very  critically  the 
records  of  such  experiments,  bearing  upon  the  subject,  as  had  been 
instituted  at  various  times  and  for  a variety  of  purposes ; and  although, 
now,  after  a protracted  and  somewhat  thorough  investigation  of  the 
various  questions  in  science  and  experience  connected  with  the 
subject,  he  feels  prepared  to  announce  his  full  belief  and  confidence 
in  the  disinfecting  powers  of  elevated  temperatures,  it  seems  very 
desirable  that  further  inquiries  and  tests  should  be  instituted  with 
reference  to  a more  clear  and  popular  demonstration  of  the  conditions, 
means,  and  special  applications  of  heat,  required  for  the  more  common 
purposes  of  disinfection.  And  it  should  here  be  stated  that  the  main 
design  of  the  writer  in  presenting  at  this  time  the  views  embodied  in 
this  paper,  has  been  particularly  to  invite  such  attention,  inquiry,  and 
practical  tests,  from  various  quarters  and  by  such  persons  as  will 
most  satisfactorily  establish  the  facts  of  the  practicability  and  general 
utility  of  the  methods  of  disinfection  herein  proposed. 

If  it  can  be  demonstrated  that  a temporary  application  of  heat, 
either  by  steam  directly  applied,  or  by  heated  air,  at  any  tempera- 
ture not  higher  than  212°  F.,  will  certainly  and  effectually  disinfect 
all  varieties  of  pestilent  and  febrile  fomites , and  contaminated  apart- 
ments, then  it  may  safely  be  asserted  that  the  time  is  near  when  such 
fomites , and  the  apartments  of  infected  vessels,  hospitals,  and 
infectious  fever-chambers,  or  pestilential  foci  and  fomites  of  every 
class  will  be  systematically  and  effectually  disinfected  by  some  ready 
method  of  applying  such  degrees  of  heat  as  may  be  required. 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  or  desired  that  heat  will  be  a substitute  for 
thorough  ventilation,  cleanliness,  and  hygienic  regimen ; but  that  its 
applications  will  be  resorted  to  when  and  where  those  essential 
measures  of  hygiene  are  insufficient  for  the  removal  of  localized  febrile 
infection.  The  localized  infectious  cause  of  yellow  fever  in  material 
substances,  in  domiciles,  or  in  ships ; the  inhering  poison  of  puerperal, 
typhus,  and  other  specific  infections  in  hospital  wards  and  close  sick- 
rooms; and  the  immediate  and  safe  disinfection  of  pestilent  fomites 
of  every  class,  require  such  an  easily  applied,  controllable,  and  per- 
meating agency  as  an  elevated  temperature  for  their  purification. 

It  has  long  since  been  shown,  by  greatly  varied  experiments  and 
innumerable  incidental  observations  and  tests,  that  none  of  the  chemi- 
cal disinfectants  can  be  relied  upon  except  as  deodorizers,  and  as 
adjuvants  to  ventilation  and  cleansing.  The  chlorides  and  the  man- 
ganates , even,  fail  of  answering  the  conditions  required  for  the  imme- 
diate and  absolute  disinfection  of  pestilent  fomites  and  contaminated 
apartments. 

If  heat  is  proven  to  be  an  effectual  disinfectant  at  about  200°  F., 
then  its  superiority  is  demonstrated  beforehand  ; for  it  is  susceptible 
of  ready  application  to  every  inanimate  thing  that  is  liable  to  imbibe 


230 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


or  convey  specific  pestilential  virus ; and  this,  even  to  the  richest 
saloons,*  the  closest  apartments,  and  the  most  hidden  and  inaccessible 
portions  of  any  vessel  or  warehouse.  In  the  practical  applications  of 
heat  we  have  an  agency  the  most  searching  that  Nature  affords; 
and,  as  remarked  by  l)r.  Henry,  “ one  that  penetrates  into  the 
inmost  recesses  of  matter  in  all  its  various  states.” 

It  is  true  that  there  may  be  found  some  practical  difficulties  in  the 
application  of  hot  air  or  dry  heat  in  certain  inaccessible  places  of  a 
vessel,  and  to  certain  materials  that  possibly  might  imbibe  febrile 
poison;  but  in  all  such  cases  and  for  all  such  materials,  steam  may 
safely  be  resorted  to,  and  with  very  great  economy,  dispatch,  and 
satisfaction.  By  virtue  of  the  almost  unlimited  expansive  property  of 
high  steam,  together  with  its  remarkable  property  of  latent  heat, — 
estimated  at  about  1,000°  F.  when  at  its  ordinary  temperature  of  boil- 
ing water,-—-  this  subtile  and  elastic  element  readily  conveys  and 
inflicts  a scalding  heat  wherever  it  is  allowed  to  escape  into  closed 
apartments,  while  by  its  properties  of  latency  and  almost  infinite 
expansiveness  it  will  penetrate,  more  certainly  and  effectively  than 
any  other  agent  can,  every  porous  substance  and  the  most  hidden  and 
intricate  openings  or  crevices  where  infectious  poison  might  possibly 
be  localized. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  utility  of  steam  or  heat  in  some  other 
form  has  not  been  experimentally  and  extensively  tested  on  board 
infected  vessels  and  in  contaminated  apartments ; for  it  is  in  such 
vessels  and  apartments  the  question  of  the  applicability  of  heat  to  the 
practical  purposes  of  disinfection  may  most  satisfactorily  be  demon- 
strated. All  admit  — contagionists  and  non-con tagionists  alike  — 
that  pestilent  febrile  poisons  may  not  only  be  generated  in  foul  ships, 
and  there  become  endemial,  but  that  an  endemic  cause  of  certain 
maladies  is  liable  to  become  obstinately  fixed  and  perpetuated  in  such 
places;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  questions  relating  to  fomites , 
so-called,  may  forever  remain  sub  judice , or,  at  least,  subject  to 
doubts.  As,  in  a somewhat  extended  reading  of  nautical  medicine, 
we  have  met  with  no  very  satisfactory  instances  of  the  application  of 
heat  to  purposes  of  disinfection  in  ships,  we  wait  with  interest,  but 
with  little  doubt,  the  practical  and  triumphant  results  of  this  mode 
of  purification. 

The  writer  last  year  suggested  to  the  Quarantine  Committee  of  the 
New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce  the  propriety  of  instituting  direct 
experiments  with  heat  in  vessels  known  to  be  contaminated.  The 
proposition  was  received  with  favor,  and  it  is  hoped  that  it  may  yet 

* The  injuries  liable  to  be  produced  upon  various  rich  goods  or  in  nicely  furnished 
apartments  by  particular  increments  of  heat,  whether  by  steam  or  dry  heating,  may 
readily  be  estimated  beforehand.  In  no  case  could  it  ever  be  required  to  raise  the 
temperature  to  the  degree  that  produces  carbonization,  which,  as  M.  Violette  has 
shown,  does  not  even  commence  at  a point  lower  that!  222°  Fahrenheit.  The  acci- 
dental application  of  scalding  steam  to  the  costliest  furniture  and  upholstery  of  the 
rich  saloons,  in  steam  vessels,  has  too  frequently  demonstrated  that  the  steam-heat 
which  instantly  destroys  animal  life,  leaves  those  gorgeous  apartments  and  their 
furniture  comparatively  unharmed. 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


231 


be  acted  upon  by  that  distinguished  and  public-spirited  body.  The 
opportunities  for  such  experimental  tests  in  naval  disinfection  are 
often  presented  in  the  port  of  New  York. 

The  most  striking  instance  of  the  supposed  disinfectant  effect  of 
heat  in  a badly  infected  ship  was  many  years  ago  narrated  by  the 
distinguished  Dr.  William  Ferguson,  at  that  time  Inspector  General 
and  Chief  Medical  Officer  in  the  Leeward  and  Windward  Islands.  It 
is  to  be  regretted  that  the  particulars  of  the  case  are  not  fully  recorded, 
but  in  the  official  documents  accompanying  Dr.  Ferguson’s  communi- 
cations to  the  Loyal  Medico-Chirurgical  Society,  (See  vol.  viii.  of  the 
Royal  Med . Chirurg.  Trans.')  the  following  extract  appears  from  the 
evidence  then  taken  respecting  the  occurrence  of  yellow  fever  on  the 
transport  ship  “ Regalia  ” in  which  that  fever  had  become  endemic, 
and  prevailed  with  frightful  mortality.  The  record  states  “ that  whilst 
at  English  Harbor  she  underwent  fumigations  as  ordered  by  Com- 
missioner Lewis,  without  the  least  effect  in  arresting  future  attacks  or 
their  fatality ; and  that  it  was  not  until  after  her  arrival  in  Carlisle 
Bay,  where  she  was  completely  cleared , and  with  her  hatchways  closed , 
her  whole  hold  exposed  to  the  concentrated  heat  of  many  stoves , that 
fever  ceased .” 

Whether  this  happy  and  immediate  disinfection  of  that  unfortunate 
transport  was  effected  solely  by  the  high  degree  of  heat  to  which 
every  compartment  of  the  vessel  was  subjected,  we  will  not  attempt  to 
determine ; but  the  facts  in  the  case  are  very  suggestive  of  the  positive 
utility  of  heat  in  such  cases.  And  before  dismissing  this  topic,  we 
desire  to  solicit  the  contribution  of  any  facts  that  may  have  been 
observed,  or  that  are  known  to  any  gentleman  connected  with  naval  or 
mercantile  marine  service,  or  that  may  have  come  to  the  knowledge 
of  others  into  whose  hands  this  paper  may  fall.* 


* The  following  interesting  and  suggestive  facts  were  elicited  by  the  discussion  of  this 
paper  in  the  Convention. 


Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  July  10, 1860. 

My  dear  Doctor:  I cheerfully  comply  with  your  request  to  give  you  a circumstantial 
account  of  the  instances  I mentioned  in  our  discussions  upon  your  paper,  in  Convention  at 
Boston,  in  illustration  of  the  disinfectant  properties  of  steam  for  yellow  fever. 

While  I was  an  Assistant  Surgeon  in  the  Navy,  and  during  the  epidemic  of  yellow  fever 
which  prevailed  in  the  U.  S.  Naval  Squadron,  in  the  vicinity  of  Vera  Cruz,  during  the 
summer  and  autumn  of  1847,  the  U.  S.  steamer  “ Vixen  ” was  one  of  the  earliest  and  one 
of  the  worst-infected  vessels  of  the  squadron.  This  vessel  had  done  a good  deal  of  river 
and  coast  service,  was  filthy  and  infested  with  cockroaches  and  rats.  I was  ordered  to 
the  “ Vixen,”  from  other  service  in  the  squadron,  in  the  early  part  of  December,  and  there 
had  charge  of  the  latest  cases  of  yellow  fever  during  that  season  of  the  epidemic.  During 
the  winter  season,  while  the  “northers”  prevailed,  there  was  a cessation  of  yellow  fever, 
though  we  continued  to  have  a large  sick  list  composed  of  tedious  convalescents  and 
frequently  recurring  febrile  complaints.  On  the  return  of  hot  weather,  in  the  following 
May,  (1848,)  there  being  no  immediate  prospect  of  our  going  north,  and  in  anticipation  of 
an  early  return  of  yellow7  fever  in  our  then  fitting  condition,  it  became  expedient  to  “ break 
out,”  as  tar  as  practicable  while  on  service,  and  paint  ship.  Before  undertaking  this,  the 
commander,  James  IT.  Ward,  Esq.,  resolved  on  a final  etfort  for  the  extermination  of  the 
vermin,  by  steam.  Everything  susceptible  of  injury  was  taken  on  deck,  the  hatches  closed 
and  steam  turned  in  below  decks.  This  was  kept  up  for  two  or  three  hours,  and  with 


232 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


In  the  foregoing  pages  we  have  endeavored  to  present  a practical 
view  of  the  more  important  questions  connected  with  the  subject  of 
immediate  disinfection  by  heat  as  a means  of  simplifying  and  facili- 
tating the  necessary  operations  of  quarantine  ; and  likewise  as  a means 
peculiarly  adapted  to  the  destruction  of  all  the  domiciliary  foci  of  infec- 
tious fevers.  The  practical  importance  and  value  of  the  full  attain- 
ment of  such  a desideratum  cannot  well  be  over-estimated.  Commerce 
alone  would  be  benefited  to  the  extent  of  many  millions  in  a single 
port  like  that  of  New  York,  during  a year  when  yellow  fever  prevails ; 


such  a head  as  to  completely  permeate  every  crevice.  After  steaming,  there  was  a 
thorough  scraping,  whitewashing,  and  painting.  From  this  time  forward  there  was  a 
decided  improvement  in  the  health  of  the  crew;  — no  more  fever  cases  occurred. 

Abouta  month  subsequent  to  the  steaming  of  the  “Vixen,”  the  gun-boat  “Mahones”  Com- 
mander W.  D.  Porter,  Esq.,  having  been  on  a surveying  expedition  up  the  Tuxpan  river, 
returned  to  the  anchorage  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  telegraphed  for  me  to  visit  the  sick. 
The  “ Mahones  ” had  no  medical  officer.  There  I found  three  cases  of  yellow  fever , and, 
within  a few  days , four  others.  The  “ Mahones  ” was  a captured  vessel;  had  never  been  off 
that  coast;  was  filthy  and  infested  with  vermin.  The  salutary  effects  of  the  steaming  on 
board  the  “ Vixen,”  both  for  vermin  and  fomites , — no  unusual  associates,  by  the  way, 
were  so  apparent  that  the  same  process  was  forthwith  advised  and  applied,  by  means  of  the 
“ Vixen’s  ” engine,  to  the  “ Mahones,”  and,  as  in  the  first  case,  vermin  and  fever  both 
ceased  to  live. 

These  vessels  continued  on  service  in  the  vicinity  of  Vera  Cruz  until  the  following 
August,  when  they  both  came  into  Norfolk,  in  the  very  height  of  hot  weather.  The 
“Mahones”  was  there  laid  up  and  subsequently  sold;  and  the  “ Vixen,”  after  remaining 
three  weeks,  without  “ breaking  out,”  was  transferred  to  the  Coast  Survey  Service  in  the 
Chesapeake  Bay  for  the  remainder  of  the  summer.  In  neither  of  these  vessels  was  there 
any  return  of  the  fever. 

About  the  same  time  that  the  “ Vixen  ” and  “ Mahones  ” arrived  at  Norfolk,  the  frigate 
“ Cumberland  ” and  the  steamer  “ Scorpion  ” arrived  at  New  York.  The  “ Scorpion  ” was 
at  once  put  in  quarantine  on  account  of  recent  cases  of  yellow  fever;  and  the  “ Cumber- 
land,” not  having  had  any  cases  since  the  previous  season,  was,  after  a few  days’ delay, 
permitted  to  go  up  to  the  Navy  Yard;  but  on  the  beginning  the  work  of  “ breaking  out,” 
yellow  fever  also  broke  out  on  board,  and  she  was  ordered  down  to  quarantine  until  cold 
weather.  The  “ Cumberland  ” and  “ Scorpion  ” were  from  the  same  squadron  with  the 
“Vixen”  and  “Mahones,”  but  more  commodious,  better  ventilated,  and  in  every 
respect  in  better  condition  for  health,  except  that  they  had  not  been  steamed. 

Truly  yours, 

A.  N.  Bell,  M.  D. 

E.  Harris,  M.  D.,  New  York. 

The  foregoing  narrative  is  replete  with  practical  suggestions  and  instruction,  but  to 
get  the  full  force  and  significance  of  the  facts  Dr.  Bell  has  so  clearly  stated,  we  need  to 
take  into  consideration  the  fact  that  almost  every  other  vessel  than  the  “ Vixen  ” and  the 
“ Mahones  ” became  infected  with  the  active  cause  of  yellow  fever.  As  was  illustrated  in 
the  case  of  the  “ Cumberland  ” and  the  “ Scorpion,”  that  infection  was  all-pervading  and 
remarkably  persistent,  even  in  the  best  class  of  the  vessels  then  employed  in  the  Gulf 
Squadron.  The  returning  vessels  from  that  squadron,  which,  during  the  later  months 
were  anchored  with  the  “ Cumberland”  and  the  “ Scorpion  ” at  quarantine  in  the  Bay  of 
New  York,  diffused  their  pent-up  pestilential  miasmata  to  the  shores  of  Staten  Island 
with  fatal  effect.  The  application  of  steam  in  the  two  vessels  mentioned,  and  the  instant 
cessation  of  fever,  together  with  its  non-appearance  after  protracted  service,  could 
scarcely  have  been  coincidences.  The  post  hoc  ergo  propter  hoc  seems  for  once  truly 
illustrated  in  those  instances.  We  would  invite  particular  attention  to  the  simplicity  and 
effectiveness  of  the  methods  adopted  for  the  introduction  of  the  steam  in  those  vessels. 


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233 


for  in  every  instance  of  real  or  reasonably  suspected  pestilential  con- 
tamination of  any  vessel  or  any  number  of  vessels  arriving  in  port,  tbe 
time  required  for  debarkation  and  storage  of  tbe  cargo  at  the  quaran- 
tine warehouses,  together  with  the  delay  of  the  vessel  in  undergoing 
the  process  of  disinfection  by  steam,  and  the  subsequent  preparation 
for  sea,  would  not  occupy  more  time  than  is  required  for  healthy  vessels 
under  ordinary  circumstances.  It  is  universally  conceded  that,  if  any 
quarantine,  or  regulations  in  the  nature  of  quarantine,  are  required  for 
the  public  safety,  then  are  special  quarantine  warehouses  and  docks 
required  for  rendering  quarantine  thoroughly  effectual  without  serious 
embarrassment  to  commerce.  Nothing  could  be  more  conclusive  on 
this  point  than  the  statements  made  on  this  very  subjectin  McCulloch’s 
Commercial  Dictionary.  In  connection  with  all  such  warehouses  and 
docks,  the  requisite  apparatus  for  generating  and  applying  steam  and 
dry  heat  could  readily  be  supplied  and  kept  in  constant  readiness. 

The  purpose  of  this  paper  does  not  require  that  the  writer  should 
enter  into  any  specifications  respecting  the  proper  appliances  and  the 
exact  methods  to  be  resorted  to  for  disinfection  by  heat.  The  experi- 
ments of  Dr.  Yon  Busch,  in  heating  the  wards  of  his  hospital  with 
stoves,  and  the  trial  of  the  same  plan  in  the  cabins  and  compartments 
of  the  transport  ship  “ Regalia,”  together  with  the  varied  experiments 
of  Dr.  Henry,  with  dry  heat,  have  fully  demonstrated  the  feasibility  of 
simple  means  for  securing  the  required  elevation  of  temperature  for 
disinfection;  while  various  experiments  made  with,  and  numerous 
explosive  accidents  from  Steam  have  sufficiently  established  the  fact 
that  almost  any  apartment  or  space  in  a house  or  a ship  may  be  exposed 
to  the  scalding  heat  of  steam  without  serious  injury.  On  this  point, 
as  well  as  with  reference  to  the  absolutely  scalding  and  life-destroying 
effects  of  steam  suddenly  injected  into  closed  apartments,  nothing 
could  be  more  suggestive  than  the  painful  results  of  the  bursting  of 
steam  cylinders,  etc.,  in  manufactories  and  steam  vessels.  But  we 
need  not  enlarge  upon  this  subject.  It  is  not  our  purpose  to  arrive  at 
final  conclusions  by  means  of  hasty  generalizations  from  such  imperfect 
data  as  are  now  at  our  command.  The  writer  desires  to  invite  atten- 
tion to  the  questions  stated  in  this  paper,  and,  if  possible,  elicit  such 
experimental  and  scientific  researches,  as  will  lead  to  well  understood 
and  practically  valuable  results.  Hidden  and  mysterious  as  the  nature 
of  pestilential  miasmata  and  their  modes  of  operation  now  seem  to  be, 
it  is  not  improbable  that  experimental  science  may  yet  make  us  suffi- 
ciently acquainted  with  their  strange  phenomena  to  enable  the  human 
mind  successfully  to  grapple  with  their  subtle  causes,  or  by  scientific 
and  ready  applications,  to  overcome  and  destroy  their  deadly  properties. 
But  such  desirable  triumphs  over  the  active  elements  of  pestilential 
poison  are  not  to  be  attained  without  patient  efforts  of  research,  obser- 
vation, and  experiment.  The  several  experiments  referred  to  in  this 
paper,  and  the  valuable  reports  of  M.  Tardieu,  Muspratt,  and  Yan 
Bibber  give  very  decided  indications  of  approach  to  the  grand  desider- 
atum of  a reliable  and  instantaneous  method  of  disinfection  for  all  trans- 
portable or  fometic  febrile  poisons.  The  writer  of  this  paper  has  ven- 
tured to  express  his  firm  conviction  that,  for  practical  purposes,  an 
30 


234 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


elevated  temperature,  applied  either  by  steam  or  by  dry  heating,  will 
be  found,  upon  trial,  to  afford  the  most  effectual  agency  that  can  be 
employed  for  the  purposes  required  at  quarantine  establishments,  and 
for  the  disinfection  of  ships,  hospital  wards,  and  other  domiciliary  foci 
of  infectious  fevers,  and  for  the  purification  of  all  pestilential  fomites. 

In  the  present  imperfect  state  of  scientific  knowledge  relating  to  the 
essential  proximate  causes  of  specific  constitutional  diseases,  and  the 
intimate  nature  and  chemistry  of  febrile  miasmata  and  their  modus 
operandi  in  the  production  of  fevers,  it  would  be  impossible  to  give  a 
scientific  solution  of  the  problems  connected  with  the  processes  of  dis- 
infection. It  is  true  that  most  if  not  all  of  the  disinfectants  are 
oxidizers , some  of  them  inducing  the  development  of  ozone ; most  of 
the  chemical  salts  used  as  disinfectants  serve  to  fix,  neutralize,  or  re- 
combine noxious  compound  gases ; but  in  the  absence  of  any  evidence 
that  the  proximate  or  infectious  cause  of  pestilent  fevers  consists  in 
substantive  miasmata , or  in  particular  gaseous  compounds,  we  are  yet 
compelled  to  rely  mainly  upon  such  individual  and  empirical  facts  as 
have  been  or  can  be  established  by  actual  observation.  Such  are  most 
of  the  facts  relating  to  steam  or  heat  as  a disinfecting  agency;  though, 
as  stated  in  a former  section,  there  are  many  analogies  so  instructive 
and  applicable  that  they  may  be  taken  into  consideration  in  our  rea- 
sonings and  experiments  regarding  disinfection  by  heat. 

The  adoption  of  improvements  in  medicine  and  in  art  must  not  wait 
for  the  settlement  of  the  exact  questions  and  problems  that  physio- 
logical and  pathological  chemistry  propose,  for  many  a lance  may  be 
broken  between  scientific  theorists  and  experimenters,  ere  an  enduring 
philosophy  is  wrought  out.  The  square  of  the  hypothenuse  had  long 
been  estimated,  and  its  geometrical  relations  had  long  been  applied  to 
practical  purposes  in  daily  life,  ere  Pythagoras  could  offer  a holocaust, 
in  his  gratitude  and  rejoicing  at  the  discovery  of  a scientific  solution  of 
the  facts  so  long  applied  by  means  of  the  legs  and  the  hypothenuse 
of  the  right-angled  triangle.  The  specific  powers  of  quinine  have  been 
acknowledged  and  applied  in  all  parts  of  the  world  since  the  first 
manufacture  of  that  article  by  Pelletier  and  Caventou  in  1820,  but  a 
strictly  chemical  or  scientific  demonstration  and  understanding  of  the 
modus  operandi  of  that  remarkable  remedy  has  but  just  been  com- 
menced, and  may  not  be  satisfactorily  established  until  forty  years 
more  have  been  spent  in  researches,  experience,  and  experiment.  So 
it  may  be  with  the  chemistry  and  science  of  disinfection ; we  may  not 
by  a priori  reasonings  nor  direct  chemical  study  immediately  find  out 
the  true  interpretation  of  the  phenomena  and  the  facts  that  now  invite 
our  investigation. 

Hitherto  it  seems  to  have  been  conceded  that  thorough  ventilation 
is  “ an  indispensable  and  potent  auxiliary  to  disinfecting  substances;  ” 
and  it  actually  has  always  proved  far  more  reliable  and  effectual  than 
all  chemical  disinfectants.  But  we  would  invite  attention  to  the  fact 
that  in  the  disinfection  or  destruction  of  the  domestic  foci  of  conta- 
gions or  infections,  as  well  as  in  the  treatment  of  exotic  infections,  it 
is  very  desirable,  oftentimes,  to  prevent  any  diffusion  of  the  localized 
poison  of  pestilent  disease,  whether  in  apartments  or  in  material  sub- 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


235 


stances.  If  heat  is  demonstrated  to  be  a disinfectant,  then  it  is  pecu- 
liarly applicable  to  this  important  class  of  cases  in  which  its  powers  are 
required.  Beyond  such  purposes,  it  should  not  be  proposed  to  extend 
its  applications,  and  for  all  other  sources  of  febrile  miasmata  we 
already  possess  reliable  remedies  and  prophylactics. 

In  the  statements  contained  in  this  paper,  we  have  not  deemed  it 
expedient  to  enter  upon  the  discussion  of  the  question,  “ What  consti- 
tute pestilential  fomites  ? ” nor  have  we  attempted  any  new  definition 
of  the  distinctive  natures  or  the  essential  properties  of  infection  and 
contagion,  but  the  writer  wishes  to  be  understood  as  a rational  believer 
in  both  infection  and  contagion ; and  in  order  that  his  statements  and 
opinions  may  not  be  misunderstood  or  misapplied,  he  would  here 
briefly  enunciate,  in  his  own  language,  what  he  conceives  to  be  the 
simplest  and  most  widely  accepted  definition  of  those  much  abused 
and  ignorantly  derided  terms.  It  is  the  definition  which  we  desire  to 
have  understood  in  the  use  of  the  terms  in  this  paper.  Infection  is 
the  contaminating  or  morbid  impression  and  effect  of  a specific  cause 
of  disease,  operating  in  or  upon  the  living  brody,  usually  originating 
without  the  body,  and  being  propagated  independently  of  it  • but  in  a 
few  limited  types  of  disease,  that  cause  originates  within , and  is  pro- 
pagated by  the  animal  system  • diseases  of  the  latter  class  are  conta- 
gious as  well  as  infectious.  Contagious  diseases  originate  in,  or  are 
reproduced  by  the  living  body,  and  can  be  communicated  from  person 
to  person. 

In  the  language  of  Dr.  Pickford,  “ Contagion  may  therefore  be 
designated  a specific  virus  originating  within  the  body.”  But  infection 
is  a generic  term,  including  a great  variety  of  causes  of  disease.  Some 
of  those  causes  are  transportable  from  place  to  place,  and  it  is  with 
such  we  have  to  deal  at  our  quarantine  establishments,  and  wherever 
there  are  foci  of  infectious  fevers,  — * be  they  contagious  or  non-conta- 
gious. 

The  extent  to  which  material  substances  are  liable  to  become 
fomites  or  absorbers  and  enkindlers  of  specific  diseases  has  never  been 
very  accurately  defined;  yet  the  general  law  regarding  pestilential 
fomites  appears  to  be  this : that  any  textile  or  porous  inanimate  sub- 
stance, not  subject  to  active  chemical  changes,  may,  under  certain  cir- 
cumstances of  exposure,  imbibe  and  retain  for  a time  the  proximate 
diffusible  cause  of  certain  infectious  maladies ; with  but  few  exceptions , 
such  transportable  febrile  poisons  or  infections  are  those  that  have 
been  generated  by  contagious  diseases. 

There  are  but  few  instances  known  in  which  ordinary  cargoes 
of  merchandise  have  become  in  any  degree  contaminated  so  as  to 
propagate  or  diffuse  the  cause  of  fevers.  Indeed,  it  may  safely  be 
asserted  that  yellow  fever,  cholera,  and  the  plague,  are  the  only  dis- 
eases known  which  are  believed  to  be  liable  so  to  contaminate  an 
entire  ship  as  to  render  it  expedient  to  institute  quarantine  restric- 
tions against  the  importation  of  infection  in  such  cargoes  as  arrive  in 
Vessels  on  board  of  which  pestilent  maladies  have  prevailed.  But 
the  multiplied  evidences  of  the  importance  of  quarantine  restric- 
tions for  vessels  and  cargoes  from  ports  where  yellow  fever  is  endemic, 


236 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


render  it  necessary  to  devise  some  effectual  method  for  the  relief  of 
ships  and  their  contents  from  those  delays  which  have  hitherto  been 
so  embarrassing  and  injurious  to  commercial  interests.  The  utility 
and  application  of  elevated  temperatures  for  the  disinfection  of  vessels, 
dunnage,  and  the  particular  kinds  of  cargo  that  are  liable  to  retain 
and  diffuse  the  transportable  cause  or  virus  of  yellow  fever,  is  the 
subject  that  has  elicited  the  investigations  and  arguments  pursued  in 
this  paper.  We  have  endeavored  to  state  what  is  known  and  applica- 
ble, also  what  is  uncertain  but  very  desirable  to  be  known,  and  what 
questions  are,  in  the  present  state  of  human  knowledge,  beyond  the 
reach  of  experiment. 

As  regards  the  utility  of  special  disinfection  to  arrest  Asiatic 
cholera,  all  is  problematical,  fresh  air  having  hitherto  been  the  only 
effectual  disinfectant;  but  as  simple  ventilation  may  not  actually 
destroy  the  propagating  cause  of  cholera,  it  is  desirable  that  means 
should  be  used  for  the  immediate  and  complete  arrest  and  destruction 
of  at  least  all  exotic  infection  of  that  malady,  instantly  upon  its 
arrival  at  our  quarantine  stations.  Indeed,  it  would  be  equally 
desirable  to  arrest  or  prevent  the  localization  of  that  pestilence  at  its 
favorite  haunts  in  the  large  towns  in  which  it  makes  its  earliest  out- 
breaks ; and  for  the  accomplishment  of  such  purposes,  it  may  yet  be 
demonstrated  that  artificial  heat  is  the  most  reliable  agent. 

The  Oriental  plague  is  known  to  disappear  under  a moderately 
high  natural  temperature,  and  the  fact  is  demonstrated  beforehand 
that  all  germs  of  that  terrible  pestilence  would  be  instantly  rendered 
inactive  by  a temperature  which  could  be  readily  and  safely  applied  to 
anything  that  is  liable  to  become  the  fometic  carrier  of  the  malady. 

From  the  foregoing  statements  may  be  seen  the  objects  which  have 
prompted  the  preparation  of  this  paper.  Imperfectly  and  hastily 
prepared  as  it  is,  the  author  would  hope  that  it  may  incite  to  accurate 
and  practical  observations  and  inquiry  among  gentlemen  who  enjoy 
the  needed  opportunities  for  prosecuting  experimental  investigations. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  such  investigations  will  require  any 
very  extensive  and  costly  apparatus.  Dry  heat  is  attainable  by  means 
of  stoves  or  coils  of  steam-pipe ; and  for  direct  steam  heat  a portable 
steam  generator,  sufficiently  powerful  to  heat  any  ordinary  apartment 
to  200^  Fahr.  can  easily  and  cheaply  be  called  into  requisition  ; and  for 
the  instantaneous  steaming  of  infected  ships,  the  steam  boilers  of  the 
more  powerful  steam-tugs  about  our  harbors  would,  with  the  aid  of  a 
few  simple  appliances,  be  sufficient  for  such  purposes.*  However,  it 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  there  should  be  entire  accuracy  of  scientific 
observation  in  all  the  tests  and  applications  of  both  steam  and  dry 
heat,  even  in  the  roughest  trials  of  those  methods  of  disinfection  in 
ships  or  in  hospital  wards.  This  may  be  attained  by  a proper  use  of 
self-registering  thermometers. 

The  application  of  heat  to  the  disinfection  of  valuable  goods  should 
be  so  nicely  attended  to  that  no  damage  to  the  merchandise  would  be 
incurred,  and  at  the  same  time  no  defect  allowed  in  the  process.  Dr. 


* See  Dr.  Bell’s  letter,  p.  231. 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


237 


Henry  used  a double-sided  metallic  chamber  surrounded  by  steam  or 
hot  water  ; but  we  apprehend  that  it  may,  in  many  instances,  be  found 
desirable  to  make  a direct  application  of  steam.  In  illustration 
of  the  fact  that  steam  at  a high  temperature  may  be  so  applied  to 
delicate  materials  with  facility,  and  without  damage  to  the  articles,  we 
will  refer  to  a familiar  and  suggestive  instance  of  its  use  in  the 
preparation  of  silk  cocoons.  The  facts  are  communicated,  at  our 
request,  by  a gentleman  who  recently  visited  the  celebrated  silk-reeling 
establishment  of  J.  Gr.  Scott,  Esq.,  in  the  village  of  Shemlan,  near  the 
foot  of  Mount  Lebanon,  in  Syria.  In  that  immense  establishment  vast 
quantities  of  silk  cocoons  are  received  from  the  surrounding  country, 
and  in  order  to  preserve  them  in  a suitable  condition  for  reeling,  it  is 
necessary  to  destroy  the  vitality  of  the  chrysalis  immediately  upon  the 
reception  of  the  fresh  cocoons  at  the  depot.  This  is  instantly  effected 
by  the  application  of  steam  in  a scalding  chamber,  so  constructed  as  to 
permit  the  ingress  and  egress  of  metallic  wicker-work  cars,  upon  which 
the  cocoons  are  so  arranged  or  stowed  as  to  permit  the  immediate 
access  of  the  steam,  which  is  injected  at  will  through  the  pipes  that 
cover  the  bottom  and  sides  of  the  chamber.  By  means  of  the 
railway  arrangement,  a constant  succession  of  cocoon-cars  are  kept 
passing  through  that  steam  chamber,  — each  little  cargo  being 
detained  and  subjected  to  the  steam  heat  in  the  closed  chamber  a few 
minutes,  — for  the  destruction  of  the  chrysalis,  which  each  cocoon  so 
snugly  incloses  in  its  impermeable  envelope  of  compacted  silken 
threads. 

These  nicely  adjusted  processes  illustrate  at  once  the  effectiveness 
of  steam  as  an  agent  or  means  for  applying  heat  to  inaccessible  places, 
as  well  as  to  the  most  delicate  materials,  with  entirely  definite  and 
satisfactory  results,  — as  a destroyer  of  animal  vitality.  As  the 
doctors  would  say,  it  answers  all  the  requisites  of  a curative  agent, — 
tuto,  cito , etjucunde. 

Whether  it  will  ever  be  desirable  or  necessary  to  apply  steam  or 
heat  by  any  means,  to  cargoes  of  cotton,  woollens,  etc.,  may  be  regarded 
as  very  doubtful;  for,  with  a proper  system  of  quarantine  warehousing, 
such  special  disinfection  need  not  be  extensively  resorted  to,  even  if 
cotton  and  wool  arrived  in  an  infected  condition.  At  the  most,  it 
might  only  be  desirable  to  insure  the  disinfection  of  samples,  — which 
could  readily  be  effected. 

In  the  case  of  samples  infected  with  yellow-fever,  and  for  certain 
articles  or  particular  packages  of  merchandise,  refrigeration  would, 
perhaps,  be  the  better  method  of  disinfection ; but  for  typhus,  cholera, 
smallpox,  and  the  plague,  cold  would  not  answer  the  conditions  of 
disinfection  : Heat  would  answer  all  the  conditions ; and  fortunately 
we  know  of  no  articles  of  merchandise  liable  to  become  fomites 
for  communicating  the  latter  diseases,  that  might  not  safely  and 
properly  be  subjected  to  steam  heat;  while  in  the  case  of  the  ordinary 
cargoes  from  places  within  the  yellow-fever  zone,  we  know  of  no 
articles  of  merchandise  liable  to  retain  infection,  — which  might  not 
be  subjected  to  either  heat  or  cold  with  equal  impunity,  and,  so  far  as 
regards  the  virus  of  yellow-fever,  with  equal  success.  And  it  may 


238 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


here  he  remarked,  that  same  disinfecting  chamber  required  for  the 
process  of  disinfection  by  steam  heat,  would,  with  the  simple  addition 
of  refrigerating  tubes  and  plates,  be  perfectly  adapted  to  the  require- 
ments of  refrigeration.  The  conditions  required  for  either  process 
have  already  been  fully  demonstrated  in  various  experiments  for  other 
objects. 

The  limits  we  had  assigned  to  this  paper  will  not  admit  of  any 
further  statements  or  illustrations.  The  writer’s  main  design  will  have 
been  accomplished  if  his  suggestions  are  made  to  promote  practical 
improvements  in  our  means  for  controlling  the  fomites  of  infec- 
tious maladies.  The  aim  has  been,  in  all  the  foregoing  suggestions, 
to  propose  practicable  measures  for  insuring  an  absolute  destruction  of 
the  pestilent  property  of  all  localized  infection,  without  loss  or  damage 
to  the  materials  or  the  apartments  that  retain  the  virus  of  disease,  and 
also  to  propose  a rational  method  for  effectually  disinfecting  ships  and 
all  domiciliary  foci  of  pestilent  fevers. 

No  person  can  be  more  conscious  than  the  author,  that  this  paper 
but  imperfectly  answers  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  designed.  It 
bears  its  own  impress  of  an  effort  to  subsidize  various  elements  of 
knowledge  to  purposes  of  public  utility,  — even  before  some  of  those 
elements  have  passed  the  crucible  of  rigid  experiment  and  received 
the  seal  of  scientific  demonstration.  Such  as  it  is,  the  paper  is  sub- 
mitted as  a voluntary  contribution  to  the  good  works  undertaken  by 
the  National  Sanitary  and  Quarantine  Convention. 

ELISHA  HARRIS,  M.  D. 

253  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York, 

June  12,  1860. 


REPORT 


ON 

CIVIC  CLEANLINESS, 


AND  THE 

ECONOMICAL  DISPOSITION  OF  THE  REFUSE  OF  CITIES. 


BY  EGBERT  L.  VIELE. 


Resolution,  adopted  at  the  third  National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention,  held 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  April  27,  1859:  — 

Resolved , That  a committee  of  six  members  he  appointed,  on  Civic  Cleanliness, 

with  plans  for  the  disposition  of  Offal,  Refuse,  Street-cleanings,  and  Nightsoil  of  cities.” 
*********** 
Committee  on  Civic  Cleanliness  and  the  Economical  Disposition  of  the  Refuse  of  Cities . 
Chas.  H.  Haswell,  New  York. 

Egbert  L.  Viege,  New  York. 

E.  M.  Snow,  M.  D.,  Rhode  Island. 

Henry  Guernsey,  M.  D,,  New  York. 

Henry  Irwin,  Virginia. 

Otis  Clapp,  Massachusetts. 


NOTE. 

The  Report  on  Civic  Cleanliness  was  prepared  under  a pressure  of  professional 
engagements  which  has  rendered  it  necessarily  brief.  Nevertheless,  it  is  hoped  that 
enough  has  been  said  under  each  head  into  which  the  subject  has  been  divided  to 
attract  the  attention  of  every  thoughtful  citizen  into  whose  hands  the  Report  may  fall; 
and  if  it  shall  have  the  effect  to  elicit  from  committees  of  investigation  the  facts  which 
though  now  hidden  will,  when  brought  to  light,  more  than  confirm  every  word  in  the 
Report,  the  design  of  the  author  will  be  acccomplished. 

EGBERT  L.  VIELE,  13  Broadway. 

New  York,  Dec.  7,  1860. 


APPENDIX  D. 


REPORT  ON  CIVIC  CLEANLINESS. 


The  Committee  on  Civic  Cleanliness  and  the  Economical  Disposi- 
tion of  the  Refuse  of  Cities,  appointed  at  the  third  session  of  the 
National  Quarantine  and  Sanitary  Convention,  held  in  the  City  of 
New  York,  April  27,  1859,  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  Report. 

The  very  comprehensive  nature  of  the  subject  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee would  seem  to  open  so  wide  a field  of  inquiry  into  all  matters 
connected  with  the  hygiene  of  cities,  as  to  embarrass  them  in  selecting 
the  precise  line  of  facts  which  they  should  present  for  consideration. 
Civic  Cleanliness  forms  not  only  the  groundwork  but  the  superstruc- 
ture of  Sanitary  Reform,  comprehending  as  it  does  the  removal  of 
everything  that  is  impure-;  and,  therefore,  to  do  entire  justice  to  the 
subject,  the  Report  should  embrace  nearly  every  question  in  sanitary 
science.  In  view,  however,  of  the  valuable  reports  submitted  at  the 
third  session  of  the  Convention  (especially  the  report  of  Dr.  J ohn  Bell 
on  the  importance  of  sanitary  measures  to  cities),  exhibiting  so  much 
research,  and  containing  such  an  amount  of  information,  drawn  from 
the  history  and  experiences  of  the  past,  the  Committee  feel  that  this 
report  may,  with  propriety,  be  confined  to  a few  practical  suggestions 
with  regard  to  the  sources  and  the  removal  of  those  impurities  which 
are  manifestly  the  chief  causes  of  mortality. 

If  there  were  a city  whose  natural  position  was  perfectly  salubrious, 
and  whose  artificial  constructions  were  all  completed  and  based  upon 
the  principles  of  sanitary  science,  that  city  might  be  said  to  be  in  a 
normal  hygienic  condition,  that  is,  in  p,  condition  where  the  exercise  of 
a proper  degree  of  civic  cleanliness  would  insure  the  health  of  the 
inhabitants.  In  order,  therefore,  to  accomplish  the  full  measure  of 
sanitary  reform  in  cities,  it  is  necessary  to  bring  them  to  this  normal 
condition.  To  accomplish  this,  there  are  four  leading  subjects  which 
demand  attention  in  the  order  they  are  named,  viz  : — 

1.  Drainage. 

2.  Paving. 

3.  Supply  of  Water. 

4.  Sewerage. 

When  the  municipality  shall  have  completed  these  four  necessary 
.measures,  and  not  till  then,  the  responsibility  for  the  health  of  the 
city  rests  upon  the  individual  inhabitants ; and  a compliance,  on  their 

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National  Quarantine  Convention. 


part,  with  proper  sanitary  regulations,  will  undoubtedly  secure  an 
exemption  from  all  preventable  diseases. 

Tbe  importance,  however — the  vital  necessity — of  carefully  and 
thoroughly  accomplishing  the  abovenamed  four  elements  of  a normal 
hygienic  condition,  cannot  be  exaggerated.  Let  us  refer  to  them  in 
detail. 

I. — Drainage. 

Of  the  total  number  of  deaths  which  take  place  annually,  over  the 
whole  surface  of  the  globe,  nearly  one  half  are  caused  by  fever  in  its 
different  forms.  To  this  may  be  added  the  number  who  perish  by 
diseases  which  originate  under  circumstances  similar  to  those  which 
produce  fever. 

It  is  a well-established  fact  that  the  principal  cause  of  fever  is  a 
humid  miasmatic  state  of  the  atmosphere,  produced  by  the  presence 
of  an  excess  of  moisture  in  the  ground,  from  which  poisonous  exhala- 
tions constantly  arise,  vitiating  the  purer  air,  and  carrying  into  the 
system  of  those  who  inhale  it  a virus  which,  if  not  sufficiently  intense 
to  produce  fever,  has  such  a disturbing  effect  upon  the  functions  of 
some  organ,  or  set  of  organs,  as  to  weaken  the  general  system,  and  act 
as  a powerful  predisposing  cause  of  some  of  the  most  common  and 
fatal  maladies  to  which  the  human  body  is  subject.  It  follows,  as  a 
matter  of  course,  that  the  first  efforts  to  improve  the  salubrity  of  any 
place  whatever,  must  be  directed  towards  preventing  the  aggregation 
of  water  in  particular  localities,  and  to  remove  such  as  has  been 
allowed  to  collect. 

In  order  to  illustrate  more  clearly  this  subject  of  drainage,  let  us 
examine  it  in  connection  with  a district  of  country  where  the  surface 
is  in  a perfectly  natural  condition,  unaltered  or  unaffected  by  any 
artificial  improvements,  diversified  by  hills  and  valleys,  the  elevations 
and  depressions  forming  the  water-sheds  and  water-courses  by  which 
the  ground  is  partially  relieved  of  the  excess  of  rain  which  falls 
upon  it. 

The  evaporation,  which  is  constantly  going  on  under  the  influence 
of  solar  heat  upon  the  waters  of  the  ocean  and  of  the  land,  carries  into 
the  atmosphere  large  quantities  of  moisture,  which,  through  changes 
of  temperature,  becomes  condensed,  and  descends  again  upon  the 
earth.  But  a small  portion  of  that  which  is  annually  discharged  from 
the  clouds  is  necessary  to  vegetation  or  is  absorbed  by  the  ground.  A 
portion  of  it  passes  off  on  the  surface  into  the  rivulets  and  rivers,  and 
thence  into  the  ocean.  Another  portion  descends  through  the  soil  by 
the  force  of  gravity,  until  it  meets  with  an  impermeable  substratum, 
flowing  along  which  it  either  accumulates  in  hollow  basins,  or  diffuses 
itself  through  extensive  tracts  of  subsoil,  finding  vent  in  the  shape  of 
springs;  or  by  spreading  itself  over  a large  mass  of  soil,  it  saturates  it 
as  a sponge,  rendering  it  unfit  for  cultivation,  creating  marshes  and 
swamps,  whence  arise  the  malaria  so  destructive  to  health. 

These  are  visible  effects;  but  there  is  another  condition  by  means 
of  which  this  surplus  water  is  rendered  injurious  to  vegetation  and  to 
health.  As  soon  as  a portion  of  water  is  beneath  the  surface,  it  is 


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acted  upon  by  capillary  attraction  in  addition  to  the  force  of  gravity, 
the  tendency  of  which  is  to  hold  it  in  suspension,  whereby  the  soil 
becomes  soured  and  chilled  by  the  evaporation,  which  carries  the  water 
otf  in  the  shape  of  mist,  so  that,  in  those  sections  of  country  where 
there  is  no  evidence  of  marshes  or  swamps,  the  nature  of  the  soil  may 
be  such  as  to  render  it  extremely  unhealthy.  In  fact,  there  are  but 
few  soils  which  do  not  require  draining,  both  for  agriculture  and  for 
health.  If,  therefore,  such  is  the  natural  condition  of  soils,  how  much 
greater  does  the  evil  become  magnified,  when  in  the  progress  of  civic 
improvements,  we  disregard  altogether  the  natural  outlets  by  which 
the  soil  became  relieved  of  its  surplus  water,  and  by  obstructing  the 
drainage,  a id  to  the  difficulty  already  existing. 

The  lines  and  direction  of  the  streets  are  generally  determined  by 
other  than  topographical  necessities,  and  consequently,  it  becomes 
necessary  to  remove  the  inequalities  of  the  surface  by  levelling  the 
elevations  and  filling  the  depressions,  under  the  supposition  that  when 
the  grading  is  completed,  the  artificial  surface-channels  will  convey  all 
of  the  water  away;  but  such  is  not  the  case.  The  very  material 
thrown  into  the  hollows  forms  a nucleus  for  increasing  the  amount, 
and  not  only  a larger  quantity  of  moisture  will  be  retained,  but  it  will 
have  added  to  it  the  drainings  through  the  animal  and  vegetable 
refuse  which  accumulates  in  all  large  cities.  Each  year  adds  to  the 
evil,  until  some  dreadful  epidemic  shows  itself  in  these  very  spots, 
and  startles  the  community  into  a knowledge  of  their  danger;  the 
sense  of  fear,  alone,  accomplishing  what  their  intelligence  should  have 
taught  them,  and  they  set  about,  perhaps  too  late,  providing  a remedy 
for  their  own  recklessness.  The  older  cities  of  Europe  have  had  their 
bitter  experience  in  this  very  matter.  In  the  city  of  Glasgow,  for  the 
five  years  ending  1840,  55,949  persons  were  attacked  with  fever, — 
every  fifth  person  in  the  city.  Of  these,  4,788  died.  The  city  of 
London  has  probably  suffered  more  from  imperfect  drainage  than  any 
other  city  in  the  world;  and  even  at  this  day,  after  years  of  labor,  and 
an  enormous  expenditure  of  money,  that  city  is  still  suffering  through 
the  ignorance  and  errors  of  the  past,  from  evils  which  may  never  be 
wholly  eradicated. 

Hamburg,  Berlin,  and  Vienna  all  testify  to  the  same  thing;  and  as 
most  conclusive  testimony,  we  have  the  statement  that  the  fearful 
scourges  which  have  from  time  to  time  swept  over  Europe,  have,  on 
each  return,  broken  out  in  precisely  the  same  localities  in  every  city, 
where  the  undrained  soil  was  ready  to  generate  the  elements  required 
to  bring  them  into  activity.  The  cities  of  the  United  States,  having 
been  generally  located  with  reference  to  commercial  necessities,  are, 
in  many  instances,  worse  off*  than  those  of  Europe ; in  addition  to  this, 
their  growth  is  so  much  more  rapid  that  a very  few  years  finds  them 
covering  an  extensive  area  of  ground  which  has  never  been  prepared 
for  the  purpose ; the  consequence  is  that  drainage  becomes  impossible. 
Undrained  lots  are  covered  with  houses,  the  residents  in  which  are 
unaccountably  sick  more  or  less  all  the  time,  and  when  an  epidemic 
comes  the  death-rate  is  frightful.  If  what  has  been  stated  is  true,  it 
follow’s  that  a neglect  of  proper  drainage  in  cities  is  little  less  than 


244 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


criminal.  It  cannot  Ibe  accomplished  by  individuals,  since  it  must  he 
done  according  to  a complete  and  extensive  system  embracing  the 
whole  municipality. 

The  responsibility  rests,  therefore,  with  the  constituted  authorities, 
and  to  them  the  people  should  appeal  in  every  city.  Let  the  subject 
be  considered  in  each  locality  for  itself,  and  a report  of  facts  be  made 
as  they  exist.  The  remedial  measures  must  follow.  The  courses  of 
all  original  drainage  streams  should  be  religiously  preserved  by  first 
excavating  them  to  a firm  subsoil,  and  then  constructing  in  their  beds 
dry  stone  drains,  covered  with  flat  stones,  through  the  interstices  of 
which  the  water  could  percolate.  The  same  kind  of  drains  should  be 
opened  into  all  depressions  which  have  no  natural  outlet,  and  in  which 
water  originally  accumulated.  These  steps  should  precede  the  grading 
of  streets,  or,  if  that  has  been  done,  the  drains  should  be  conveyed 
under  them. 


II. — Paying. 

There  is  perhaps  no  one  subject  connected  with  the  growth  and 
improvement  of  cities  which  has  had  so  marked  an  effect  upon  the 
health  of  the  inhabitants  as  that  of  paving  the  streets.  Although 
next  in  importance  to  the  removal  of  surplus  water  from  the  soil,  as  a 
general  rule  it  is  not  thought  of,  unless  the  nature  of  the  soil,  or  the 
constant  traffic  compels  a resort  to  it  in  order  to  facilitate  business. 
It  has  seldom  been  resorted  to  simply  as  a sanitary  measure,  yet  the 
history  of  a large  number  of  cities  shows  conclusively  that  a great 
decrease  in  mortality  is  due  alone  to  the  paving  of  certain  streets  in 
localities  previously  noted  for  their  unhealthiness.  This  is  owing  to 
the  fact  that  less  water  gets  into  the  soil,  and  the  latter,  being  covered 
by  the  pavement,  is  not  acted  upon  by  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun,  thus 
preventing  the  generation  of  deleterious  gases  and  miasma.  Pr.  Bell 
cites  the  city  of  Philadelphia  as  an  instance  of  the  great  benefits 
derived  from  pavements,  and  states  that  the  exemption  of  the  inhabi- 
tants from  intermittent  and  bilious  remittent  fever  has,  with  great 
uniformity,  followed  the  paving  of  the  streets. 

The  space  now  called  Dock  Street  was,  in  the  early  history  of 
Philadelphia,  a miry  swamp  traversed  by  a sluggish  stream,  on  either 
side  of  which  periodical  fevers  of  all  grades  prevailed  with  a violence 
equal  to  those  met  with  in  the  most  sickly  districts  of  the  West.  The 
exposed  surface  having  been  paved,  and  the  creek  partly  filled  and 
covered  over,  and  made  the  line  of  a large  drain,  no  person  residing 
there  now  has  any  apprehension  of  fevers  such  as  those  that  affected 
the  former  dwellers  there.  A like  change  from  the  operation  of  a 
similar  cause  has  been  wrought  in  the  districts  of  Southwark, 
Kensington,  and  Bichmond.  The  change  in  the  sanitary  condition  of 
Southwark  is  the  more  obviously  due  to  paving,  and  subsequent  atten- 
tion to  scavengering,  as  the  greater  part  of  the  drainage  is  on  the 
surface,  owing  to  the  limited  extent  of  sewers. 

Louisville,  Kentucky,  is  mentioned  by  the  same  writer  as  furnishing 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


245 


one  of  the  most  remarkable  examples  of  the  beneficial  change  produced 
in  the  health  of  a city  by  paving.  This  city  — once  “called  the 
graveyard  of  the  West/'  — is  now  as  healthy  as  any  town  in  that 
extensive  region.  Intermittent  fever  was  a regular  annual  visitor, 
and  occasionally  a form  of  bilious  fever  prevailed,  rivalling  yellow  fever 
in  mah’gnity,  and  threatening  to  depopulate  the  town.  After  the 
fever  of  1822,  the  citizens  seem  to  have  become  awakened  to  a sense 
of  their  condition,  and  as  a means  of  avoiding  the  evils  from  which 
they  suffered,  a system  of  improvements  was  introduced,  the  principal 
feature  of  which  was  the  paving  of  the  streets.  An  entire  change  in 
the  sanitary  condition  of  the  city  followed  immediately. 

It  seems  unnecessary  to  multiply  instances,  — the  facts  are  the 
same  everywhere.  No  city  can  be  healthy  unless  the  streets  are 
paved,  and  they  should  be  well  paved  in  the  beginning.  An  inferior 
pavement  is  almost  worse  than  none  at  all,  as  it  is  constantly  out  of 
repair,  and  fails  in  its  purpose  as  a sanitary  measure  ; and  when  we 
take  into  consideration  all  the  inconvenience  and  evils  attendant  upon 
a bad  pavement,  — the  frequent  repairs  required,  the  additional  wear 
of  carriages,  the  greater  amount  of  traction,  and  consequent  loss  of 
power,  and  the  injury  to  horses, — it  will  be  found  that  a cheap 
pavement  is  always  the  most  expensive  in  the  end.  Besides  the 
cleanliness  of  a city,  its  scavengering,  depends  so  much  upon  its 
pavements;  for  whatever  maybe  the  character  of  the  soil,  it  is  impos- 
sible to  keep  the  streets  cleaned  unless  they  are  well  paved.  The 
refuse  matter  which  collects  upon  the  surface,  and  which  it  is  impos- 
sible to  remove  except  from  a pavement,  becomes  incorporated  with 
the  soil,  and  supplies  a constant  and  fruitful  source  of  disease ; and  in 
a bad  pavement,  the  holes  that  are  constantly  being  formed  are  the 
receptacles  for  offensive  materials.  Even  a hard  rain,  instead  of  con- 
tributing to  cleanliness,  has  a contrary  effect,  by  fermenting  those 
substances  which,  in  a dry  state,  would  in  some  measure  continue 
inactive,  and  in  a great  degree  harmless. 

Assuming  it,  therefore,  to  be  admitted  that  the  pavement  of  the 
streets  is  a matter  of  the  first  necessity,  an  important  question  arises 
at  once  as  to  the  character  of  the  pavement : What  materials  are  the 
best  ? and  how  it  should  be  constructed  ? 

Unfortunately,  the  question  of  economy  must  be  discussed  at  the 
same  time,  if  we  expect  any  satisfactory  result  (and  this  Beport  aims 
to  be  practical)  to  arise  out  of  the  discussion. 

The  conditions  of  a perfect  pavement  are,  a light  grade,  easy  trac- 
tion, and  a good  footing  for  horses.  It  should  be  so  constructed 
that  water  could  not  percolate  through  or  under  it,  so  that  it  would 
not  be  liable  to  get  out  of  repair,  and  so  that  any  portion  could  be 
readily  taken  up  and  replaced  without  impairing  its  stability. 

The  only  pavement  fulfilling  all  these  conditions,  combined  with 
durability  in  the  material,  is  the  concrete  pavement,  or  small  cubical 
blocks  of  primitive  rock  laid  upon  a bed  of  concrete.  Innumerable 
experiments  and  ingenious  inventions  have  been  tried,  in  almost  every 
city  of  the  world,  to  determine  upon  a pavement  fulfilling  all  the 
necessary  conditions,  but  nothing  has  been  found  to  excel  or  to  equal 


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the  old  Roman  pavements,  which  have  survived  the  lapse  of  time  and 
destruction  of  everything  contemporary  with  them,  and  hid  fair  to 
survive  the  very  memory  of  those  who  constructed  them. 

The  principles  on  which  the  Roman  pavements  were  constructed 
are  those  which  are  requisite  to  a good  pavement.  There  can  be  no 
question  as  to  this  character  of  pavement  being  the  only  one  which 
will  stand  our  climate.  Whenever  a pavement  is  so  constructed  as  to 
admit  of  water  percolating  through  into  the  road-bed,  there  the  frost 
will  follow,  and  the  pavement  will  be  upheaved.  Cobble-stone 
pavement  is  a mere  temporary  expedient.  Where  there  is  any  amount 
of  travel  it  is  always  out  of  repair,  while  the  cubical  block  pavement 
now  being  extensively  used  in  New  York  will  be  worse  than  cobble- 
stones in  a few  years,  with  nothing  but  sand  underneath,  which  will 
be  wet  and  frozen  in  the  winter,  and  of  course  thrown  up,  when  the 
angular  blocks  will  be  very  destructive  to  carriages.  As  the  expense 
of  concrete  underneath  is  but  a small  addition  to  the  original  cost, 
while  the  expense  of  repairs  will  be  one  hundred  per  cent,  less,  it  is  to 
be  regretted  that  the  latter  pavement  is  not  universally  adopted  at 
first,  as  it  certainly  will  be  in  the  end.  I have  no  hesitation  in 
recommending  that  every  city  should  at  once  lay  down  a specimen  of 
this  pavement,  to  be  examined,  and  tested,  and  compared  with  every 
other  kind,  as  to  durability,  cost,  and  value.  The  citizens  will  soon 
learn  to  appreciate  its  merits,  and  its  general  adoption  must  follow, 
to  the  great  improvement  of  the  comfort  and  health  of  the  inhabitants. 

III.  — Supply  of  Water. 

In  a military  point  of  view,  next  to  a city’s  defence  is  an  abundant 
supply  of  good  water,  and  the  fact  holds  good  in  every  point  of  view ; 
without  it  no  city  can  be  clean  or  healthy,  to  say  nothing  whatever  of 
comfort.  Water  alone  can  remove  the  thousand  impurities  which  are 
inseparably  connected  with  a large  population,  and  where  it  is  con- 
nected, as  it  should  be,  with  a properly  constructed  system  of  sewers, 
a great  step  is  taken  towards  securing  the  health  of  the  city. 

The  aqueducts  and  sewers  of  ancient  Rome,  which,  even  in  their 
ruins,  excite  our  wonder  and  admiration, — through  which  whole 
rivers  were  turned  into  that  city, — enabled  her  to  preserve  the  laws 
of  health,  and  so  to  gather  within  her  walls,  without  fear  of  pestilence, 
an  immense  population.  Rut,  when  those  laws  were  neglected  by  the 
lawless  democracy  into  whose  hands  the  control  of  the  city  fell,  her 
downfall  and  desolation  began.  To  her  sanitary  regulations  she  owed 
her  imperial  splendor ; to  their  neglect  she  owed  her  ruin.  No  better 
illustration  than  that  of  Rome  can  be  furnished  of  the  value  to  a city 
of  a copious  supply  of  water.  It  attracts  population,  and  increases  the 
value  of  property  to  an  extent  which  soon  repays  the  outlay  for  the 
construction  of  the  works.  In  fact,  if  the  works  are  of  the  right 
character,  built  with  a view  to  the  increase  of  population,  and  such  as 
to  insure  an  ample  supply  of  water,  they  cannot  fail  to  be  a source  of 
revenue  to  a city. 


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253 


IV.  — Sewerage. 

A supply  of  water  necessitates  the  construction  of  sewers.  In  fact, 
it  is  a doubtful  experiment  to  attempt  to  use  them  without  the  neces- 
sary amount  of  water  to  insure  their  being  kept  clean,  for  they  may 
become  the  source  of  the  most  frightful  disorders.  This  problem  of 
sewerage  is  by  no  means  an  easy  one  to  solve  in  communities  where 
progress  is  the  result  of  individual  prosperity.  It  is  a difficult  matter 
to  persuade  people  to  look  forward  to  the  comfort  of  generations  to 
come  after  them,  when  they  have  to  furnish  the  means  for  it.  And 
nothing  is  so  essential  to  the  success  of  a system  of  sewerage  as  to 
make  it  sufficiently  extensive  and  comprehensive  in  the  beginning. 
The  main  trunk  sewers,  which  may  be  more  than  sufficient  for  the 
necessities  of  one  generation,  are  found  to  be  too  small  for  the 
branches  which  are  gradually  emptied  into  them,  and,  as  a conse- 
quence, being  unable  to  carry  off  the  sewerage,  they  become  choked 
up,  and  produce  discomfort  and  disease  where  they  were  intended  to 
secure  comfort  and  health.  While  it  is  not  necessary  to  lay  down 
here  a plan  for  the  construction  of  sewers,  yet  it  is  not  out  of  place  to 
call  attention  to  the  necessity  of  keeping  the  mouths  of  the  sewers 
below  the  surface  of  the  water  in  which  they  are  conveyed.  This  can 
be  readily  done  by  depressing  the  sewer  suddenly  at  the  stream, 
creating  a fall  near  the  river,  so  that  that  portion  of  the  sewer  which 
is  between  the  fall  and  the  river  will  be  always  filled  with  water.  This 
is  necessary  in  order  to  prevent  the  rush  of  air  through  the  sewer 
from  the  river,  which  drives  the  sewer  gases  into  the  houses,  and 
fills  the  atmosphere  itself  with  foul  odors.  Another  cause  of  the 
ascending  of  sewer-gases  is  the  practice,  which  ought  not  to  be  toler- 
ated, of  admitting  pipes  into  the  sewers  for  the  discharge  of  waste 
steam.  Nor  should  the  washings  from  gas-works  or  manufactories  be 
allowed,  under  any  circumstances,  to  go  into  the  public  sewer. 

Docks. 

Although  not  precisely  in  the  hygienic  connection  which  has  been 
laid  down  in  the  beginning  of  this  report,  yet  the  docks,  wharves, 
piers,  and  bulkheads  of  a city  are  often  such  positive  causes  of  insalu- 
brity, that  it  is  proper  to  refer  to  them  here.  While  there  is  no  period 
in  the  history  of  the  city  when  every  other  question  should  not  be 
regarded  as  secondary  to  its  sanitary  condition,  yet  it  becomes  neces- 
sary to  tolerate  the  existence  for  a time  of  certain  evils  which  should 
be  removed  the  moment  the  public  health  demands  it,  and  under  this 
head  are  the  temporary  wharves  and  piers  for  the  use  of  shipping. 
The  manner  of  constructing  them  is  by  sinking  cribs  made  of  logs, 
and  filled  with  stones,  or  by  driving  piles  into  the  bed  of  the  stream, 
and  then  erecting  constructions  upon  them.  These  piles  decay  above 
the  water-line,  and  are  replaced  by  driving  new  ones  alongside  of  the 
old.  No  arrangement  could  be  devised  which  would  be  better  calcu- 
lated to  check  the  tidal  currents,  to  collect  the  refuse  which  is  thrown 


254 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


into  the  river,  and  to  aid  sedimental  deposits,  all  of  which  tend  to 
make  the  vicinity  of  the  wharves,  and  even  the  river  itself,  a source 
of  pestilence. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  these  constructions  ought  to  be 
replaced  by  more  durable  structures,  better  adapted  to  the  necessities  of 
a city  and  the  wants  of  commerce.  In  the  first  place,  they  should  be 
built  of  stone,  or  at  least  upon  stone  piers.  The  superstructure  may 
be  of  wood.  The  accompanying  diagram  exhibits  a plan  and  eleva- 
tion of  a wharf  built  on  stone  piers.  Certainly,  no  city,  which  owes 
its  existence  and  prosperity  to  commerce,  ought  to  hesitate  in  provid- 
ing that  commerce  with  all  necessary  and  decent  facilities.  As  it  is 
now,  with  hardly  a solitary  exception,  the  wharves  and  piers  of  our 
cities  are  regarded  as  the  most  offensive,  most  dilapidated,  and  most 
unhealthy  part  of  the  town. 

The  slips  are  filled  with  mud,  requiring  constant  dredging.  The 
vilest  refuse  matter,  dead  animals  of  every  description,  are  floating 
backwards  and  forwards  with  the  ebbing  and  flowing  tide.  Vice  and 
filth  seem  to  revel  unchecked  in  their  precincts ) ragged,  thieving 
boys  and  debauched  men,  rubbish  and  old  lumber,  rickety  shanties, 
low  grog-shops,  and  all  manner  of  dens,  meet  the  eye  in  every  direc- 
tion. Such  is  a picture  of  the  wharves  of  a commercial  city  in  the 
United  States,  whereas  they  should  be  solid  ornaments  to  the  city, 
spacious  in  their  proportions,  with  ample  room  for  shipping.  The 
severest  penalty  should  attend  the  throwing  of  any  refuse  into  the 
water.  Garbage-carts  should  attend  upon  the  shipping  in  dock  as  they 
do  upon  the  dwellings.  They  should  be  kept  clean  by  thorough  and 
frequent  washing.  A well-organized  and  active  police  should  prevent 
the  violation  of  ordinances,  and  arrest  the  vagrants.  I am  free  to  say 
that  such  a state  of  things  would  tend  to  elevate  the  character  of  the 
sailor.  The  docks  and  their  vicinity  are  his  home  on  land,  and  he 
cannot  but  feel  and  be  degraded  under  the  influences  which  surround 
him.  Surely  there  is  money  wasted  somewhere  in  our  municipal  gov- 
ernments, which  might  be  expended  in  improving  the  condition  of 
their  wharves.  If  they  are  private  property,  let  the  owners  be  com- 
pelled to  erect  suitable  constructions,  and  let  them  follow  the  laws  of 
property  everywhere,  by  exacting  suitable  compensation  for  their  use. 
I cannot  close  this  branch  of  the  subject,  without  expressing  the  hope 
that  some  effort  will  be  made  to  draw  public  attention  to  the  disgrace- 
ful neglect  of  the  accommodations  for  shipping. 


Public  Markets. 

It  is  not  out  of  place  to  refer  also  to  the  subject  of  markets,  which 
too  frequently,  in  large  cities,  are  a disgrace  and  a nuisance.  At  this 
day  there  is  not  a decent  public  market-house  in  the  city  of  New 
York.  It  is  surely  a great  error  to  allow  these  places,  which  ought  to 
be,  with  their  fruits  and  flowers  and  fresh  vegetables,  an  attractive 
place  to  visit,  to  become  revolting  depots  of  filth,  where  moral  pollu- 
tion keeps  pace  with  the  accumulation  of  mud  and  putridity.  Millions 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


255 


of  dollars  are  expended  on  jails  and  penitentiaries,  while  the  hot-beds 
of  vice,  from  which  they  are  filled,  are  wholly  unattended  to. 

Contrast  the  different  effect  which  must  be  produced  upon  the 
minds  of  those  whose  occupation  is  to  supply  the  daily  quota  of  food 
to  the  city,  if  their  business  were  conducted  in  large,  airy,  and  com- 
modious buildings,  instead  of  men,  women,  and  children  being  hud- 
dled together  in  rickety  shanties  encumbered  with  refuse,  where 
every  sense  is  offended,  and  what  should  be  a pleasure  becomes  a 
disgust. 

Until  suitable  buildings  are  provided,  no  sanitary  regulations  can 
improve  their  condition.  When  these  shall  be  erected,  a careful 
examination  of  everything  that  is  offered  for  sale,  a constant  use  of 
water,  and  the  immediate  removal  of  the  refuse  which  will  otherwise 
accumulate  during  the  day  and  become  a source  of  disease,  will  obviate 
the  evils  which  exist.  The  buildings  themselves  would  be  an  orna- 
ment to  the  city;  they  would  be  the  resort  of  strangers  as  well  as  res- 
idents, and  a clean  and  orderly  set  of  men  and  women  would  replace 
the  noisy  assemblage  which  is  now  to  be  found  in  them. 


THE  ECONOMICAL  DISPOSITION 

OB'  THE 

REFUSE  MATTER  OF  CITIES. 


The  various  questions  which  arise  under  this  head, — such  as  the 
best  mode  of  removing  the  refuse  matter, — when  it  should  be  done, — 
the  actual  or  relative  value  of  the  different  kinds  of  refuse, — their 
adaptation  to  agriculture,  or  to  other  uses,  — increase  in  importance 
with  the  increase  of  population.  In  a very  dense  population,  like 
Paris,  persons  are  found  who  turn  everything  to  account,  and  such  is 
the  strife  among  what  are  known  as  chiffoniers , that  they  are  licensed 
and  assigned  to  districts.  Scarcely  a particle  of  refuse  matter  is 
wasted.  Also,  in  some  of  the  other  larger  cities  of  Europe,  the  clean- 
ing of  the  streets,  instead  of  being  a tax,  yields  a revenue.  In  order 
to  exhibit  this  matter  in  an  economical  point  of  view,  it  has  been 
deemed  proper  to  insert  here  the  admirable  essay  upon  this  subject  by 
Baron  Liebig,  contained  in  a communication  to  Alderman  Mechi,  of 
London.  Although  the  matter  is  not  treated  by  the  Professor  in  a 
sanitary  sense,  yet  the  entire  paper  is  too  valuable,  taken  in  this  con- 
nection, not  to  meet  with  due  attention. 

“Munich,  Nov.  IT. 

“Bear  Sir  : Your  letter,  of  the  7th  of  November  to  The  Times , ' 
furnishes  me  an  occasion  to  express  to  you  my  sincere  thanks  for  the 


256 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


views  to  which  you  there  give  utterance,  and  which  I have  labored 
many  years  to  impress.  I am  sorry  not  to  he  able  to  say  that  my  efforts 
have  been  attended  with  any  perceptible  results,  and  I regard  it  as  a 
fortunate  event  that  a man  of  so  eminently  practical  a character  as 
yourself  has  now,  for  the  first  time,  in  the  interests  of  agriculture,  and 
the  national  welfare,  taken  up  the  question  of  the  ‘ sewerage  of  towns* 
with  warmth,  and  in  language  adapted  to  produce  conviction. 

“It  is  my  ardent  wish  that  you  may  succeed  in  awakening  the 
English  people  to  your  own  convictions;  for,  in  that  case,  the  ways 
and  means  for  setting  aside  the  difficulties  which  stand  in  the  way 
of  procuring  manure  from  the  ‘sewerage  of  towns*  will  certainly  be 
found;  and  a future  generation  will  look  upon  those  men  who  have 
devoted  their  energies  to  the  attainment  of  this  end  as  the  greatest 
benefactors  of  their  country. 

“The  ground  of  my  small  success  lies  clearly  in  the  fact,  that  the 
majority  of  farmers  do  not  know  the  extent  to  which  their  own 

interests  are  concerned  in  this  matter,  and  because  the  views  and 

conceptions  of  most  men,  in  regard  to  the  circuit  of  life  and  the 
laws  which  govern  the  preservation  of  the  race,  do  not  generally 
rise  above  those  of  C.  Fourrier,  the  inventor  of  the  phalanstery.  He 
proposed,  as  you  know,  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  occupants  of  his 
phalanstery  by  means  of  eggs.  He  supposed  it  was  only  necessary 
to  procure  a couple  of  hundred  thousand  hens,  each  of  which  would 
lay  thirty-six  eggs  a year,  making  as  many  million  eggs,  which, 
sold  in  England,  would  produce  an  immense  income.  Fourrier  knew 
very  well  that  hens  lay  eggs,  but  he  seemed  not  to  know  that,  in 
order  to  lay  an  egg,  they  must  eat  an  amount  of  corn  its  equal  in 

weight;  and  so  most  men  do  not  know  that  the  fields,  in  order  to 

yield  their  harvests,  must  either  contain,  or  else  receive  from  the 
hands  of  man,  certain  conditions  which  stand  in  the  same  relation  to 
the  products  of  the  field  as  the  hen’s  food  does  to  the  eggs  she  lays. 
They  think  that  diligent  tillage  and  good  weather  are  sufficient  to 
produce  a good  harvest;  they  therefore  regard  this  question  as  one 
in  which  they  are  wholly  unconcerned,  and  look  forward  carelessly 
and  with  indifference  to  the  future. 

“As  physicians  who,  in  the  apparent  signs  of  a young  man’s 
blooming  health,  discern  the  fatal  worm  which  threatens  to  undermine 
his  organic  frame,  so  in  this  case  should  these  discerning  men,  who 
are  capable  of  comprehending  the  range  of  the  question,  raise  the 
earlier  the  voice  of  warning. 

“It  is  true  that  the  diligent  tillage  of  the  fields,  sunshine,  and 
timely  rain  are  the  outward  conditions,  perceptible  to  all  men,  of  good 
harvests ; but  these  are  perfectly  without  effect  upon  the  productive- 
ness of  the  field,  unless  certain  things,  not  so  easy  of  perception  by 
the  senses,  are  present  in  the  soil,  and  these  are  the  elements  which 
serve  for  nourishment,  for  the  production  of  roots,  leaves,  and  seeds, 
and  which  are  present  in  the  soil  always  in  very  small  quantity,  in 
proportion  to  the  mass  of  the  soil  itself. 

“These  elements  are  taken  from  the  soil  in  the  products  of  the  field 
in  the  corn  or  in  the  flesh  of  the  animals  nourished  by  these  products  ; 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


257 


and  daily  experience  shows  that  even  the  most  fruitful  field  ceases, 
after  a certain  series  of  harvests,  to  produce  these  crops. 

“A  child  can  comprehend  that  under  these  circumstances  a very 
productive  field,  in  order  to  remain  very  productive,  or  even  simply 
productive,  must  have  the  elements  which  had  been  withdrawn  in  the 
harvests  perfectly  restored  ; that  the  aggregate  of  the  conditions  must 
remain  in  order  to  produce  the  aggregate  results,  and  that  a well, 
however  deep  it  may  be,  which  receives  no  supply  of  water,  must,  in 
the  end,  become  empty,  if  its  water  is  constantly  pumped  out. 

“Our  fields  are  like  this  well  of  water.  For  centuries  those  elements 
which  are  indispensable  to  the  reproduction  of  the  crops  have  been 
taken  from  the  soil  in  those  crops,  and  that,  too,  without  being 
restored.  It  has  only  recently  been  ascertained  how  small  a supply  of 
these  elements  the  soil  really  has.  A beginning  has  been  made  to 
restore  to  the  fields  the  losses  which  they  sustain  through  the  annual 
harvests,  by  introducing,  from  external  sources,  manures  containing 
the  same  elements.  Only  a very  few  of  the  better  informed  farmers 
perceive  the  necessity  of  this  restoration,  and  those  of  them  who  have 
the  means  have  zealously  endeavored  to  increase  the  amount  of  these 
elements  in  their  fields ; but  by  far  the  greater  part  of  them  know 
nothing  of  such  restoration.  They  think  that  they  may  continue  to 
take  from  the  field  as  long  as  there  is  anything  left,  and  that  it  will 
be  time  enough  to  provide  for  this  necessity  when  it  knocks  at  their 
doors.  They  do  not,  of  course,  know  how  large  their  stock  on  hand 
is,  nor  are  they  aware  that  when  the  necessity  shows  itself  there  will 
be  no  means  to  correct  it ; they  know  not  that  what  they  have  wasted 
is  irretrievable. 

“The  loss  of  these  elements  is  brought  about  by  the  ‘sewerage 
system  of  towns/  Of  all  the  elements  of  the  field,  which,  in  their 
products,  in  the  shape  of  corn  and  meat,  are  carried  into  the  cities, 
and  there  consumed,  nothing,  or  as  good  as  nothing,  returns  to  the 
fields.  It  is  clear  that  if  these  elements  were  collected  without  loss, 
and  every  year  restored  to  the  fields,  these  would  then  retain  the 
power  to  furnish  every  year,  to  the  cities,  the  same  quantity  of  corn 
and  meat;  and  it  is  equally  clear  that  if  the  fields  do  not  receive  back 
these  elements,  agriculture  must  gradually  cease.  In  regard  to  the 
utility  of  the  avails  of  the  ‘ sewerage  of  towns  ’ as  manures,  no  farmer, 
and  scarcely  an  intelligent  man,  has  any  doubt,  but  as  to  their  neces- 
sity, opinions  are  very  various. 

“ Many  are  of  the  opinion,  that  corn,  meat,  and  manure  are  wares, 
which,  like  other  wares,  can  be  purchased  in  the  market ; that  with 
the  demand  the  price  may,  perhaps,  rise,  but  this  will  also  stimulate 
the  production,  and  that  all  turns  upon  having  the  means  to  purchase, 
and  so  long  as  England  has  coal  and  iron  she  can  exchange  the  prod- 
ucts of  her  industry  for  the  corn,  meat,  and  manure  which  she  has 
not.  In  this  respect  I think  it  would  be  wise  not  to  be  too  confident 
of  the  future,  for  the  time  may,  perhaps,  come,  even  in  half  a century, 
that  not  one  of  those  countries  upon  whose  excess  England  has  hith- 
erto drawn  will  be  able  to  supply  her  with  corn,  and  that,  too,  from 
the  natural  law,  that  what  is  true  of  the  smallest  pieqe  of  ground  is 

33 


258  National  Quarantine  Convention . 

true  also  of  a great  country.  It  ceases  to  produce  corn  if  the  condi- 
tions of  the  reproduction  of  the  corn  which  has  been  carried  off  are 
not  restored  to  it.  Nor  is  it,  furthermore,  certain  whether  the  corn- 
growing countries  will  always  desire  to  exchange  their  corn  for  the 
products  of  English  industry,  since  they  may  no  longer  need  these 
products,  or,  at  least,  not  in  the  ratio  of  England’s  need  of  corn.  In 
the  countries  of  Europe,  and  in  the  United  States  of  North  America, 
great  efforts  are  made  to  become  in  this  respect  independent  of  Eng- 
land, as  being  in  the  end  the  only  way  of  keeping  the  corn  prices  in 
these  countries  so  as  to  repay  the  labor. 

“ In  the  United  States  the  population  increases  at  a still  greater 
ratio  than  in  other  countries,  while  the  corn  production  upon  the  land 
under  cultivation  has  constantly  fallen  off. 

“ History  teaches  that  not  one  of  all  those  countries  which  have 
produced  corn  for  other  lands  have  remained  corn-markets,  and  Eng- 
land has  contributed  her  full  share  towards  rendering  unproductive 
the  best  lands  of  the  United  States,  which  have  supplied  her  with 
corn  precisely  as  old  Home  robbed  Sardinia,  Sicily,  and  the  rich  lands 
of  the  African  coast,  of  their  fertility. 

“ Finally,  it  is  impossible  in  civilized  countries  to  raise  the  corn 
production  beyond  a certain  limit,  and  this  limit  has  become  so  narrow 
that  our  fields  are  no  longer  capable  of  a higher  yield  without  an 
increase  of  their  effective  elements  by  the  introduction  of  manures 
from  abroad. 

“ By  the  application  of  guano  and  bones  the  farmer  of  most  limited 
capacity  learns  the  real  import  of  such  increase ; he  learns  that  the 
pure  system  of  stall  or  home-made  manures  is  the  true  and  genuine 
robber  system.  In  consequence  of  his  restoring  in  the  guano  and 
bones  but  a very  small  portion  of  those  very  same  elements  of  seeds 
and  of  fodder  which  had  been  withdrawn  from  his  fields  by  centuries 
of  cultivation,  their  products  are  wonderfully  increased.  Experiments 
instituted  with  special  reference  to  this  end  in  six  different  parts  of 
the  kingdom  of  Saxony  showed  that  each  hundred  weight  of  guano 
put  upon  a field  produced  150  lbs.  of  wheat,  400  lbs.  of  potatoes,  and 
280  lbs.  of  clover  more  than  the  same  sized  piece  of  ground  without 
guano,  and  from  this  it  may  be  calculated  how  enormously  the  corn 
and  flesh  production  of  Europe  has  been  increased  by  the  yearly  im- 
portation of  100,000  tons,  or  2,000,000  cwt.  of  guano. 

The  effect  of  guano  and  bones  should  have  taught  the  farmer  the 
real  cause  of  the  exhaustion  of  his  fields  ; it  should  have  taught  him 
in  what  a condition  of  perpetual  fertility  he  might  have  preserved  his 
fields  if  the  elements  of  the  guano,  which  he  has  transported  in  the 
shape  of  meat  and  products  of  his  field  into  the  cities  were  recovered 
and  brought  into  a form  which  would  admit  of  their  being  restored  to 
his  fields  every  year. 

“ To  an  understanding  of  this,  however,  the  farmer  has  not  yet 
come,  for,  as  his  forefathers  believed  that  the  soil  of  their  fields  was 
inexhaustible,  so  the  farmer  of  the  present  day  believes  that  the  intro- 
duction of  manures  from  abroad  will  have  no  end.  It  is  much  simpler, 
he  thinks,  to  buy  guano  and  bones  than  to  collect  their  elements  from 


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259 


the  sewers  of  towns,  and,  if  a lack  of  the  former  should  ever  arise,  it 
will  then  be  time  enough  to  think  of  a resort  to  the  latter.  But  of 
all  the  erroneous  opinions  of  the  farmers  this  is  the  most  dangerous 
and  fatal. 

“ If  it  is  perceived  that  no  country  can  perpetually  supply  another 
with  corn,  then  it  must  be  still  easier  to  understand  that  an  importa- 
tion of  manures  from  another  country  must  cease  still  earlier,  since 
their  exportation  diminishes  the  production  of  corn  and  meat  in  that 
country  in  so  rapid  proportions  that  this  decrease  in  a very  short  time 
forbids  the  exportation  of  manures.  If  it  is  considered  that  a pound 
of  bones  contains  in  its  phosphoric  acid  a necessary  condition  for  the 
production  of  sixty  pounds  of  wheat,  that  the  English  fields  have 
become  capable  by  the  importation  of  one  thousand  tons  of  bones  of 
producing  two  hundred  thousand  bushels  more  of  wheat  in  a series  of 
years  than  they  would  have  produced  without  this  supply,  then  we  can 
judge  of  the  immense  loss  of  fertility  which  the  German  fields  have 
sustained  by  the  exportation  of  so  many  hundred  thousand  tons  of 
bones  which  have  gone  from  Germany  to  England.  It  will  be  con- 
ceived that  if  this  exportation  had  continued,  Germany  would  have 
been  brought  to  that  point  that  she  would  no  longer  have  been  able 
to  supply  the  demand  of  her  own  population  for  corn.  In  many  parts 
of  Germany,  from  which  formerly  large  quantities  of  bones  were 
exported,  it  has  now  already  come  to  be  the  case  that  those  bones  must 
be  at  a much  higher  price  bought  back  again  in  the  form  of  guano  in 
order  to  obtain  the  paying  crops  of  former  times. 

“ The  exportation  of  bones  for  so  many  years  from  Germany  was  pos- 
sible only  because  the  German  agriculturists  had  less  knowledge  of  the 
real  nature  of  their  business  than  the  English,  believing,  as  they  did, 
that  practice  and  science  taught  doctrines  contradictory  to  each  other, 
and  were  fundamentally  different  things,  and  that  they  must  trust,  not 
in  the  laws  of  nature,  but  in  receipts.  Things  have  now  changed  for 
the  better,  although  not  to  the  extent  which  was  to  be  desired,  for  the 
German  farmers  do  not  as  yet  generally  understand  the  value  of  the 
elements  of  bones  for  preserving  the  present  fertility  of  their  fields 
(not  to  speak  of  the  restoration  of  their  former  fertility),  for  if  they 
all  understood  this,  no  one  could  have  any  more  bones, — at  all  events, 
no  more  than  those  which  he  brings  to  market  in  his  grain  and 
cattle. 

“ The  prices  of  bones  have  become  so  high  in  Germany  as  to  forbid 
their  exportation,  and  if  the  question  should  be  put  to  English  com- 
merce, whence  it  furnishes  the  English  farmer,  with  this,  to  him,  so 
indispensable  a manure,  the  answer  would  produce  astonishment;  for 
this  commerce  has  already  so  far  robbed  all  the  inhabited  parts  of  the 
earth  that  the  manufacturer  of  superphosphate  can  only  set  his  hopes 
upon  the  phosphate  of  lime  of  the  mineral  kingdom. 

“ In  relation  to  guano,  I have  been  assured  that  in  twenty  to  twenty- 
five  years,  if  the  use  of  guauo  should  increase  in  even  the  same  pro- 
portion as  hitherto,  there  will  not  remain  in  South  America  enough  to 
freight  a ship.  We  will,  however,  suppose  its  supply  and  that  of 
bones  to  continue  for  fifty  years,  or  even  longer ; then  what  will  be 


260  National  Quarantine  Convention. 

the  condition  of  England  when  the  supply  of  guano  and  bones  is 
exhausted  ? 

“ This  is  one  of  the.  easiest  of  all  questions  to  answer.  If  the  com- 
mon 1 sewerage  system  ’ is  retained,  then  the  imported  manures,  guano 
and  bones,  make  their  way  into  the  sewers  of  the  cities,  which,  like  a 
bottomless  pit,  have  for  centuries  swallowed  up  the  guano  elements  of 
the  English  fields,  and  after  a series  of  years  the  land  will  find  itself 
precisely  in  the  condition  it  was  in  before  the  importation  of  guano 
and  bones  commenced ; and  after  England  shall  have  robbed  the  cul- 
tivated lands  of  Europe,  even  to  complete  exhaustion,  and  taken  from 
them  the  power  to  furnish  her  longer  with  corn  and  manure,  then  she 
will  not  be  richer  than  before  in  the  means  of  producing  corn  and 
meat,  but  will,  from  that  time  forth,  become  even  poorer  in  these 
means. 

“ By  means  of  the  importation  of  guano  and  bones,  the  population 
has,  however,  in  consequence  of  the  increased  production  of  corn  and 
meat,  increased  in  greater  ratio  than  would  have  been  possible  without 
this  importation  of  manures,  and  this  population  will  make  upon  the 
rulers  of  the  State  their  natural  demand  for  food. 

“ If  men  do  not  deem  it  desirable  that  the  balance  between  popula- 
tion and  the  supply  of  food  be  restored  by  means  of  exterminating 
wars  and  revolutions  (in  which  the  want  of  food  has  always  played  a 
certain  part),  or  by  means  of  wasting  plagues,  pestilence,  and  famine, 
or  by  emigration  en  masse , then  should  they  reflect  that  the  time 
has  arrived  for  getting  a clear  view  in  regard  to  the  causes  of 
existence  and  increase  of  population.  A very  little  reflection  will  lead 
to  the  conviction  that  the  relations  of  populations  are  governed  by 
a great  and  comprehensive  natural  law,  according  to  which  the 
return,  duration,  increase,  or  diminution  of  a natural  phenomenon 
depends  upon  the  return,  duration,  increase,  or  diminution  of  its 
conditions.  This  law  governs  the  return  of  the  harvests  upon  our 
fields,  the  maintenance  and  increase  of  the  population  ) and  it  is 
easy  to  see  that  a violation  of  this  natural  law  must  exert  upon  all 
these  relations  a pernicious  influence  which  can  be  set  aside  in  no 
other  way  than  by  the  removal  of  its  causes.  If,  then,  it  is  known 
that  certain  existing  circumstances  work  deleteriously  upon  the  fields ; 
if  it  can  be  foreseen  that  their  continuance  must  bring  about  the 
ruin  of  agriculture , if  there  is  but  a single  one  of  all  the  means 
which  have  hitherto  resisted  this  deleterious  influence  and  made  it 
less  sensibly  felt,  which  can  be  safely  relied  upon  to  secure  a per- 
petual fertility  to  our  fields,  and  this  means,  by  a simple  change  and 
improvement  of  the  existing  deleterious  state  of  things,  can  be 
obtained,  then  it  becomes  us  to  think  whether  a nation  should  not  sum- 
mon up  all  her  intellectual  and  material  resources  in  order  to  preserve 
these  fundamental  conditions  of  her  welfare. 

“ It  has  been  maintained  that  the  recovering  of  the  manure-elements 
out  of  the  sewers  of  large  cities  is  impracticable.  I am  not  ignorant 
of  the  difficulties  which  stand  in  its  way.  They  are,  indeed,  very 
great ; but  if  the  engineers  would  come  to  an  understanding  with  the 
men  of  science  in  relation  to  the  two  purposes, — the  removal  of  the 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


261 


contents  of  the  sewers  and  the  recovery  of  their  valuable  elements  for 
agriculture,  — I do  not  doubt  that  a good  result  would  follow.  Intel- 
ligence in  union  with  capital  represents  a power  in  England  which  has 
rendered  possible  and  practicable  things  of  much  greater  apparent 
difficulty.  I look  forward,  with  deep  concern,  to  the  solution  of  the 
sewerage  question,  for,  if  this  question  is  decided  in  Great  Britain 
without  regard  to  the  wants  of  agriculture,  we  can  scarcely  hope  for 
any  thing  better  upon  the  Continent. 

“ Permit  me  to  add  still  a few  words  in  relation  to  the  leading 
article  of  The  Times  of  the  same  date,  in  which  the  one  side  of  this 
question  is  taken  up  with  great  clearness,  while  the  author  of  the 
article  seems  to  have  not  quite  a correct  view  of  its  bearing  as  it  pre- 
sents itself  to  my  mind.  The  mistake  into  which  he  has  fallen  arises 
from  his  confounding  the  condition  of  a State  with  that  of  its  popula- 
tion. 

“In  the  natural  sciences  we  know  nothing  of  a State, — of  its  might 
or  its  feebleness.  We  know  only  lands,  their  geological  formation, 
their  climate  and  soil,  and  whether  the  soil  contains  the  natural  con- 
ditions of  the  subsistence  of  man  and  beast.  In  places  where  these 
conditions  are  abundantly  present,  and  geological  circumstances  do 
not  hinder  their  intercourse,  men  cannot  be  exterminated.  The  most 
wasting  war  cannot  rob  a land  of  the  conditions  which  nature  has 
given,  nor  can  peace  give  them  to  a land  which  wants  them. 

“ Countries  may  be  fruitful  and  become  capable  of  sustaining  a 
large  population,  when  certain  resisting  influences,  which,  in  their 
unhindered  working,  make  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  impossible,  are 
overcome  by  human  intelligence,  or  when  a land  has  all  the  conditions 
of  productiveness  except  one,  and  then  receives  the  one  which  it 
lacked.  If  Holland  were  without  her  dikes,  which  must  be  kept  up 
at  great  expense,  she  would  produce  neither  corn  nor  meat ; the  land 
would  not  be  inhabitable.  In  a similar  manner,  the  inhabitant  of  the 
African  oasis  protects  his  grain  fields  by  dikes  against  the  storms  of. 
the  desert,  which  cover  his  land  with  a barren  sand ; and  if  Mr.  Lay- 
ard  is  disposed  to  answer  the  question  put  to  him,  he  will  say  that  the 
decay  of  an  admirable  system  of  irrigation  rendered  the  permanent 
maintenance  of  a great  population  in  Assyria  and  Mesopotamia  impos- 
sible. 

“ I know  that  the  prophets  of  future  evil  have  at  all  times  been 
derided  by  their  own  generation ; but,  if  history  and  natural  laws  can 
furnish  any  ground  for  a just  conclusion,  then  there  is  none  which 
stands  more  firmly  than  this, — that,  if  the  British  people  do  not  take 
pains  to  secure  the  natural  conditions  of  the  permanent  fertility  of 
their  land, — if  they  allow  these  conditions,  as  hitherto,  to  be  squan- 
dered their  fields  and  meadows  will  at  no  distant  time  cease  to  yield 
their  returns  of  corn  and  meat.  But  it  does  not  belong  to  the  province 
of  natural  science  to  discuss  the  question  whether  the  might,  strength, 
and  independence  of  the  nation  will  be  preserved  after  this  state  of 
things  shall  have  gradually  arisen. 

“ Believe  me,  dear  sir,  yours  very  truly, 

“ JUSTUS  VON  LIEBIG. 

“ Mr.  J.  J.  Mechi,  Triptree-hall,  Kelvedon,  Essex.” 


262 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


The  economical  merits  of  this  question  need  not  be  further  dis- 
cussed, as  they  have  been  exhausted  in  the  above  paper.  Let  us 
endeavor,  therefore,  to  throw  out  some  suggestions  of  a practical 
nature. 

The  refuse  matter  of  cities  may  be  divided  into — 

1.  Street-cleanings , or  what  is  incidental  to  traffic. 

2.  Garbage  and  ashes , or  what  is  removed  from  the  interior  of 

houses. 

3.  Sewage , or  the  matter  which  is  conveyed  into  sewers. 

4.  Night-soil , or  excremental  deposits  which  are  not  conveyed  off  by 

water. 

5.  Offal , or  carcasses  of  dead  animals. 


Street  Cleanings. 

The  constant  sweeping  of  the  streets  is  so  essentially  necessary  to 
the  preservation  of  health  that  it  seems  scarcely  worth  while  to  refer 
to  it.  Yet  it  is  supposed  by  some  that,  unless  the  accumulation  of 
mud  or  dirt  becomes  so  great  as  to  be  offensive,  scavengering  is  a 
useless  expense  and  it  is  probable  that,  if  it  were  put  to  vote,  in  some 
cities,  whether  the  streets  should  be  swept  twice  instead  of  three  times 
a week,  the  latter  increasing  materially  the  expense,  it  would  be 
decided  in  favor  of  sweeping  but  twice.  It  is  not,  however,  generally 
known  that  there  is  sometimes  more  danger  to  the  health  of  a city 
from  removing  an  accumulation  of  refuse  matter  than  to  leave  it  alone. 
For  this  reason  frequent  scavengering  becomes  a necessity.  If  the 
refuse  has  once  been  suffered  to  accumulate,  it  should  not  be  removed 
in  hot  weather.  An  attempt  to  clean  the  streets  of  Vera  Cruz,  after 
they  had  been  neglected  for  some  time,  almost  involved  the  destruc- 
tion of  that  portion  of  our  army  stationed  there  during  the  war  with 
Mexico. 

The  material  obtained  from  the  streets  has,  in  many  instances,  been 
used  for  filling  sunken  lots,  and  redeeming  low  ground.  No  greater 
folly  could  possibly  be  exhibited ; for  such  a course  has  never  failed 
to  be  followed  by  the  most  aggravated  fevers ; besides,  the  material 
properly  belongs  to  agriculture,  so  that  in  an  economical  view  it  is 
wrong  so  to  dispose  of  it.  The  proper  course  to  pursue  is  to  secure  a 
piece  of  waste  ground  outside  of  the  limits  of  the  city,  as  a place  of 
deposit  for  this  material.  This  could  be  the  more  readily  done  in 
American  cities,  from  the  convenience  afforded  by  the  city  railways, 
which  are  now  being  generally  adopted.  Transporting  it  in  boats  does 
not  pay  for  the  labor  required.  Whereas,  with  cars,  the  dirt  can  be 
dumped  into  them  from  a platform,  and  again  dumped  from  the 
cars  at  the  place  of  deposit.  By  a proper  arrangement  of  pits,  night- 
soil  and  even  offal  might  be  added  to  this  deposit,  and  in  time  a 
most  valuable  accumulation  of  the  richest  kind  of  fertilizing  material 
would  yield  a revenue  to  the  city. 

All  of  the  streets  should  be  swept  at  least  three  times  a week, 
and  the  thoroughfares  every  night.  The  manner  in  which  it  is  done 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


263 


in  Paris,  as  shown  by  the  correspondent  of  the  Times,  exhibits  the 
advantages  derived  from  a thorough  system.  He  states  : “ The  gen- 
eral supervision  of  this  branch  of  municipal  administration  is  con- 
fided to  the  mayors,  while  its  special  supervision  falls  under  the 
prefect  of  police.  The  sweeping  of  the  streets  is  done  at  the  charge 
of  the  proprietors,  or  where  there  are  shops,  no  matter  of  what  kind, 
at  the  expense  of  the  owners  of  these  shops ; the  average  annual  tax 
for  this  purpose  is  two  dollars.  The  receipt  for  this  money  comes 
from  the  prefect  of  police. 

Thus  the  citizens  pay  directly  for  the  sweeping  of  the  streets 
directly  in  front  of  their  houses,  but  the  city  carries  away  the  sweep- 
ings. This  labor  is  now  done  by  contract.  The  sweeping  costs 
$300,000  annually.  The  contractors  who  carry  off  the  rubbish,  after 
allowing  it  to  rot  a certain  time  in  pits,  sell  it  as  manure,  at  the 
rate  of  three  to  five  francs  the  cubic  yard,  and  realize  a total  sum 
on  its  sale  of  $700,000.  The  direct  superintendence  of  the  street 
sweeping  is  confided  to  officers  responsible  to  the  city  government. 
The  number  of  scavengers  employed  in  this  work  in  Paris  is  2,500, 
including  both  sexes.  They  are  divided  into  four  legions,  comprising 
twelve  battalions,  or  thirty-six  companies  of  four  sections  each. 

The  persons  found  employed  in  this  work  are  almost  exclusively 
Alsacians  and  Germans,  but  very  many  of  them  speak  French  as 
well.  They  are  not  at  all  miserable-looking  people  as  one  sees  em- 
ployed in  similar  labor  in  other  cities,  but,  for  the  most  part,  young 
or  middle-aged  persons,  in  apparent  robust  health.  The  men  are 
paid  twenty-four  sous  (or  cents)  per  day;  the  women  twenty  sous, 
and  the  children  sums  in  accordance  with  the  labor  they  are  capable 
of  performing;  for  here  street-sweeping,  like  other  of  the  menial 
occupations,  is  elevated  to  the  dignity  of  a science,  and  is  learned 
by  an  apprenticeship.  It  must  be  confessed  that  this  fact  does  not 
speak  very  loudly  for  the  mental  acquirements  of  the  professors  of 
this  science,  but  there  must  be  people  for  all  occupations.  The  sweeps 
collect  at  given  points,  in  companies  of  forty  to  sixty,  every  morning 
before  four  o’clock ; they  take  their  places  in  rank  two  by  two,  men 
and  women,  and  the  roll  is  called  and  the  absent  marked ; at  four 
o’clock  they  are  all  at  their  work.  The  work  is  performed  by  means 
of  long  switch  brooms.  They  finish  at  or  before  eight  o’clock,  accom- 
plishing the  work  in  four  hours.  These  hours  are  fixed,  and  invariably 
at  eight  o’clock  the  carts  carry  off  the  rubbish ; no  rubbish  from  the 
houses  can  be  thrown  into  the  streets  after  the  hour  fixed  for  the  car- 
rying off  of  the  street  sweepings. 

At  eight  o’clock  in  the  morning  the  fountains  are  opened,  and  the 
gutters  are  filled  for  an  hour  or  more  with  streams  of  pure  running 
water,  a measure  that  is  repeated  in  the  course  of  the  day,  according 
to  the  wants  of  the  season ; and  all  this  is  accomplished  every  morn- 
ing without  confusion,  and  with  the  regularity  of  clock-work,  — a 
result  due  entirely  to  a careful  organization  and  efficient  superintend- 
ents. 

The  streets  of  Paris  are  thus  always  as  clean  as  well-used  brooms 
can  make  them.  They  are  no  relaxations,  — no  experiments ; it  is  a 


264 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


regular  system,  which  works  from  January  to  January  with  the  same 
daily  efficiency,  and  is  never  the  cause  of  complaint  from  any  source. 
It  is  not  regarded  as  an  extraordinary  feat  of  administration,  and  any 
inefficiencies  in  its  performance  would  be  a matter  of  surprise.  Be- 
sides this,  a certain  number  of  workmen,  called  cantonniers,  are  em- 
ployed all  day  to  work  on  the  streets  to  scrape  up  the  accumulating 
dirt,  and  to  keep  the  gutters  clear.  A certain  number  of  carts  are 
retained  all  day  to  carry  off  the  sweepings  of  these  cantonniers.  The 
sweepings  of  the  public  squares  and  gardens  is  done  exclusively  at 
the  charge  of  the  city. 


Garbage  and  Ashes. 

It  is  a very  common  practice  in  cities,  — in  fact,  in  some  of  them  it 
is  established  by  ordinance,  — for  the  garbage  and  ashes  to  be  exposed 
on  the  sidewalk  in  barrels  and  boxes,  to  be  removed  by  carts  which  go 
around  for  that  purpose.  In  this  way,  for  a large  portion  of  the  day, 
a quantity  of  fermenting,  deleterious  substance  is  exposed  in  summer 
to  the  direct  action  of  the  sun,  giving  off  the  most  venomous  gases, 
while  frequently,  from  the  overfilled  barrels  and  boxes  it  is  strown 
over  the  sidewalk  and  into  the  street.  A more  reprehensible  practice 
could  not  exist;  the  remedy  for  which  is  to  have  these  barrels  or 
boxes  retained  in  the  areas  or  yards  under  cover  until  the  residents 
are  notified  by  the  ashmen  to  bring  them  out,  and  a law  to  this  effect 
should  be  enacted  and  enforced  in  every  city. 

Sewage. 

That  the  entire  contents  of  the  sewers  of  large  cities  may  be  suc- 
cessfully used  to  enrich  the  soil,  there  is  no  doubt,  since  it  has  been 
done  in  several  European  cities.  The  only  question  is  to  devise  the 
most  economical  method  for  accomplishing  the  object.  Where  the 
site  of  the  town  is  elevated,  it  can  be  readily  effected,  as  is  shown  in 
the  case  of  the  city  of  Edinburgh,  the  sewage  of  which  is  conducted 
over  a considerable  tract  of  meadows,  on  the  east  of  the  city,  during 
the  whole  year,  producing  unexampled  crops  of  grass,  and  command- 
ing a high  rent.  The  same  facilities  do  not  exist  in  towns  which  are 
located  on  or  near  the  banks  of  rivers  too  low  to  admit  of  the  sewage 
being  conveyed  to^  contiguous  meadows.  In  Paris,  however,  the  ex- 
periment has  been  successfully  tried  of  pumping  it  up  into  reservoirs, 
and  then  using  it  for  purposes  of  irrigation.  In  Birmingham,  Eng- 
land, a similar  use  has  been  made  of  the  drainage  from  the  sewers. 
The  evil  effects  which  have  been  experienced  in  London,  from  the 
contamination  of  the  waters  of  the  Thames,  have  demonstrated  the 
necessity  of  providing  some  other  means  for  disposing  the  sewage  of 
that  city  than  by  emptying  it  into  the  river,  which  has,  in  conse- 
quence, become  a vast  open  sewer,  giving  forth  the  most  noxious  and 
offensive  odors.  The  plan  proposed  to  be  adopted  is  to  construct  an 
immense  main  trunk  sewer  parallel  to  the  river,  which  will  receive  the 
contents  of  all  the  sewers,  and  convey  it  to  a distance  below  the  city. 
There  is  no  reason  why  this  plan  could  not  be  adopted  generally.  It 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


265 


certainly  is  no  reason  for  polluting  the  waters  of  a river  because  it  is 
convenient  to  do  so.  As  in  the  case  of  the  Thames,  there  is  a limit 
beyond  which  it  is  impossible  to  go  without  the  most  serious  conse- 
quences resulting  from  it.  So  that  it  is  better  to  provide,  in  the  be- 
ginning, against  the  evils  which  must  follow  an  increase  of  population. 

Night-soil. 

Night-soil  produces  the  most  surprising  effects  when  carried  to  the 
land,  before  its  fermentation  is  completed,  and  spread  over  it  with 
care.  The  best  way  of  using  it  is  to  form  it  into  a kind  of  compost 
by  mixing  it  with  other  substances,  and  especially  by  making  it  into 
heaps  with  turf,  and  adding  a small  quantity  of  burnt  lime.  By  this 
means  the  superfluous  energies  are  reduced  to  the  requisite  standard, 
and  the  effect  extended  over  a greater  space,  without,  however,  there 
being  any  danger  of  the  energy  of  the  active  matter  which  it  contains 
being  lost  or  impaired  by  this  diffusion. 

This  manure  then  loses  its  fetid  odor,  and  becomes  divided  and 
mixed  up  with  the  other  substances,  and  forms  a fertile  soil.  The 
best  way  of  using  it  is  to  spread  it  over  the  ground,  without  covering 
it  or  burying  it.  It  should  be  mixed  up  several  times,  and  all  the  sub- 
stances thoroughly  mingled  together  before  it  is  used. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  Paris  there  is  a large  establishment  in  which 
a very  active  manure  is  manufactured  from  night-soil.  It  is  made  in 
the  form  of  a powder,  and  for  that  reason  is  called  poudrette.  The 
excrementitial  matter  is  placed  on  an  inclined  plane,  covered  with  stone 
slabs,  and  there  made  into  heaps  in  order  that  it  may  ferment,  and 
when  dry  is  spread  over  a greater  extent  of  surface ; a harrow  is  then 
passed  over  it  to  break  it  up,  when  it  is  frequently  heated  and  tho- 
roughly dried.  It  is  then  reduced  to  powder,  which  resembles  brown 
tobacco  in  appearance,  and  sold  to  farmers,  and  particularly  to  garden- 
ers, who,  to  judge  from  the  price  they  pay  for  it,  certainly  must  derive 
immense  benefit  from  its  use. 

The  inhabitants  of  Belgium  also  make  great  use  of  this  kind  of 
manure.  They  import  and  procure  it  from  considerable  distances, 
even  in  the  form  of  a paste ; and  go  to  fetch  it  in  carts  and  boats, 
without  caring  for  the  offensive  odor  which  it  exhales.  They  either 
use  it  in  the  form  of  compost,  or  mix  it  with  a large  quantity  of  water. 
It  is  highly  valued  in  China  and  Japan,  and  hence  called  Japan 
manure. 


Offal. 

Nothing  is  so  essential  to  the  sanitary  condition  of  a city  as  stringent 
regulations  and  a well-devised  system  with  regard  to  the  removal  and 
disposition  of  the  carcasses  of  dead  animals.  Every  moment  they  are 
exposed  adds  to  their  power  of  vitiating  the  atmosphere,  and 
diminishes  their  value  for  economical  purposes.  In  an  establishment 
properly  conducted  by  competent  persons,  with  sufficient  capital,  the 
entire  offal  of  the  city  might  be  turned  to  account.  They  should  be 

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removed  as  far  as  possible  from  the  vicinity  of  dwelling-houses,  and 
should  be  under  constant  supervision.  Persons  who  are  engaged  in 
such  occupations  soon  become  accustomed  to  what  would  be  to  others 
the  most  offensive  odors,  so  that  they  should  not  be  the  best  judges  as 
to  whether  they  were  conducting  their  business  with  the  least  possible 
annoyance  to  the  neighborhood.  The  removal  of  offal  should  be  under 
the  direct  supervision  of  the  police. 

Carts  and  men  for  this  purpose  should  be  stationed  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  the  station-houses,  so  that  the  moment  a report  is 
made  on  the  subject  from  any  of  the  precincts,  the  cart  may  proceed 
at  once  to  the  spot;  and  in  transporting  the  offal,  care  should  be  taken 
that  it  be  covered  and  hidden  from  the  sight.  Nothing  can  be  more 
offensive  than  to  see  carcasses  being  carried  through  the  streets. 
Deodorizers  should  be  used  to  a greater  extent  during  their  transporta- 
tion to  the  place  of  deposit. 

By  the  exercise  of  skill,  a large  profit  may  be  derived  from  convert- 
ing the  carcasses  to  economical  uses.  From  the  horns,  hoofs,  hair, 
hides,  bones,  &c.,  may  be  derived  fat,  glue,  bone-dust,  bone-black, 
bone-manure,  leather,  phosphate  of  lime,  and  much  other  material 
useful  in  manufactures.  A large  number  of  persons  are  employed  in 
this  occupation  in  Paris,  and  enormous  profits  derived  from  it.  It  is  a 
question  worthy  the  attention  of  capitalists  as  well  as  sanitarians. 

Having  thus  endeavored  to  point  out,  in  as  concise  a manner  as 
possible,  the  necessity  and  the  manner  of  disposing  of  the  refuse 
matter  of  cities,  it  remains  for  those  most  interested  to  follow  out  the 
suggestions  which  have  been  made,  or  to  devise  more  practical  plans. 

The  experience  of  the  most  casual  observer  must  confirm  all  that 
has  been  said  as  to  the  necessity  of  remedial  measures  of  the  most 
thorough  description  being  adopted.  And  it  becomes  simply  a ques- 
tion of  duty,  whether  the  intelligence  of  the  age  shall  or  shall  not  be 
enlisted  in  this  sanitary  crusade  against  human  debasement.  In  vain 
has  intellect  been  given  to  man,  if  he  is  content  to  exist,  like  the 
brute,  in  filth,  or  to  inhale,  at  every  breath,  its  venomous  odors.  Of 
what  use  is  the  free  air  of  heaven,  if  he  is  content  to  live  and  sleep  in 
ill-ventilated  apartments  ? Of  what  use  is  the  glorious  sunlight,  if  he 
is  content  to  shut  it  out  from  his  dwelling  ? Of  what  use  are  his 
mental  energies,  if  he  cannot  devise  the  means  for  the  rational  enjoy- 
ment of  his  existence  ? 

While  much  is  due  from  the  individual  to  himself,  no  less  is  due 
from  him  as  a member  of  society. 

His  obligations  to  society  necessitate  the  observance  of  its  laws,  not 
the  least  of  which  are  those  which  comprehend  the  preservation  of 
the  public  health. 

Again,  society  is  organized  for  the  protection  of  individual  rights ; 
such  protection  is  due  from  society  to  its  humblest  member ; and  of  all 
his  rights,  there  is  none  more  indisputably  his,  than  that  the  air  he 
breathes  should  be  pure  and  uncontaminated. 

The  laws  which  protect  the  life  or  the  property  of  the  citizen  are  of 
no  more  importance  than  those  which  protect  his  health,  and  the 
penalties  which  attend  the  violation  of  one,  should  as  surely  be  meeted 
out  to  the  violator  of  the  other. 


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267 


To  the  end  that  the  practical  co-operation  of  the  civil  authorities 
may  he  secured  for  sanitary  reform,  the  following  draft  of  a memorial 
is  submitted,  with  the  recommendation  that  a copy,  signed  by  the 
officers  of  the  Convention,  be  transmitted  to  the  authorities  of  every 
incorporated  city  in  the  United  States. 

Form  of  Memorial. 

To  the  Mayor  and  Council  of  the  City  of — 

The  undersigned,  your  memorialists,  in  the  interests  of  their  fellow- 
citizens  of  all  classes,  and  acting  on  behalf  of  the  National  Sanitary 
Convention,  assembled  in  the  city  of  Boston,  on  the  14th  day  of  June, 
1860,  most  respectfully  petition  your  honorable  body  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  a special  committee  to  examine  and  report  upon  the  following 
subjects,  vitally  connected  with  the  welfare  of  your  city,  viz  : — 

The  condition  of  the  drainage  of  the  city,  as  connected  with  the 
original  topography  of  its  site. 

The  character  and  condition  of  the  pavements  of  the  city. 

The  character  and  condition  of  the  works  for  the  supply  of  water. 
Or,  if  no  works  are  constructed,  the  expediency  of  constructing  works 
for  supplying  the  city  with  water. 

The  character  and  condition  of  the  sewers,  or  the  expediency  of 
adopting  a system  of  sewerage. 

The  character  and  condition  of  the  wharves. 

The  character  and  condition  of  the  markets. 

Also,  to  submit  such  recommendations  as  they  may  deem  proper 
with  regard  to  the  cleaning  of  the  streets,  the  removal  of  garbage  and 
ashes,  and  the  proper  disposition  of  night-soil  and  offal. 

The  undersigned  regard  the  result  of  such  investigation  as  being 
eminently  calculated  to  advance  the  best  interests  of  the  whole  com- 
munity, by  eliciting  facts  and  spreading  information  with  regard  to 
sanitary  reform,  and  your  petitioners  will  ever  pray,  &c. 


REPORT 

UPON  LEGAL  RESTRICTIONS 


FOR  THE 


CONTROL  OF  THE  SALE  OF  POISONS 

AND 

DANGEROUS  DRUGS. 

BY  DR.  C.  B.  GUTHRIE. 


I 


APPENDIX  E. 


REPORT  ON  THE  LEGAL  CONTROL  OP  POISONS. 


The  legal  control  of  the  sales  of  poisons  and  dangerous  drugs  is  a 
question  not  new  even  in  purely  scientific  or  deliberative  bodies  like 
the  present,  — while  it  has  been  often  the  subject  of  discussion  in 
judicial  and  legislative  assemblies,  with  various  results  and  conclu- 
sions. 

“ A careful  examination  of  reported  cases  in  Europe,  as  well  as  in 
our  own  country,  impressed  me  very  deeply  with  the  almost  criminal 
neglect  of  our  lawmakers,  in  leaving  the  sale  of  all  poisons,  but  more 
particularly  of  that  deadly  one,  arsenic,  so  utterly  without  safeguard.” 
This  is  the  language  of  a medical  gentleman,  in  the  American  Medi- 
cal Monthly,  and  expresses  the  feelings  of  all  who  have  given  the 
matter  any  thought  or  examination ; and  certainly  that  of  the  Com- 
mittee to  whom  this  subject  was  referred  at  the  last  meeting  of  this 
Convention. 

Various  propositions  have  from  time  to  time  been  brought  forward, 
some  looking  entirely  to  the  integrity  and  intelligence  of  the  vendor  of 
such  drugs  as  a safeguard  to  the  lives  and  health  of  community,  others 
interposing  stringent  regulations  bearing  alike  upon  seller  and  pur- 
chaser, with  a view  to  fix  the  responsibility  both  of  sale  and  use  of  the 
article  at  the  same  time,  — all  confessing  the  need  of  some  protection, 
and  seeking  a remedy  for  an  acknowledged  evil. 

But  to  acknowledge  the  existing  evil  and  our  wants  in  this  respect 
has  been  a much  easier  task  than  to  point  out  the  effectual  remedy. 

It  seems  to  lie  either  in  the  efficient  and  thorough  education  of  such 
as  deal  in  drugs  of  this  kind,  so  that  no  mistakes  may  occur,  and  in 
their  unimpeachable  integrity  and  honesty,  so  that  no  temptation  shall 
lead  them  astray,  or  else  in  such  legal  restrictions  as  shall  afford  a 
means  of  fixing  responsibility  somewhere,  with  adequate  and  recognized 
penalties.  Which  of  these  two  we  shall  be  obliged  to  look  to  is 
apparent  to  all,  and  yet  we  shall  find  neither  the  awakened  public 
opinion  to  either  demand  or  sustain  any  very  stringent  enactments  upon 
this  subject  in  the  most  enlightened  of  our  communities.  The  right 
“ to  buy  and  sell,  and  get  gain  ” is  the  one  great  underlying  principle 
of  action  of  our  people,  and  most  others,  too,  we  think,  and  though  we 
in  various  ways  and  in  diverse  manner  recognize  the  right  to  restrict 
this  rule  of  traffic,  yet  when  the  reason  for  such  restriction  is  not  plain 
and  tangible,  we  are  apt  to  complain  of  every  such  infringement. 

We  restrict  or  guard  the  sale  of  gunpowder  in  all  the  States,  and 


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make,  almost  every  year,  an  effort,  usually  a failure,  to  be  sure,  to  do 
something  of  the  sort  with  whiskey  and  its  adjuvants,  especially  the 
drugged  or  adulterated  liquors,  and  almost  every  city  restrains  and 
prescribes  the  sale  of  vegetables  and  swill  milk. 

Therefore,  to  say  that  any  State  may  not  enact  such  laws  as  may  be 
deemed  proper  upon  a subject  bearing  directly  upon  the  lives  of  its 
people,  is  simply  absurd,  and  yet,  many  apothecaries  look  upon  any 
such  legislation  with  great  disfavor,  not  only  in  this  country,  but  in 
England  as  well. 

Says  a report  made  to  that  large  and  growing  body  of  Pharmaciens, 
the  American  Pharmaceutical  Association,  at  their  annual  meeting  in 
Washington,  in  1858  : “ This  subject  seems  to  be  exceedingly  distaste- 
ful to  the  American  dispenser  to  be  dictated  to,  when  and  in  what 
manner  he  shall  sell  poisons,”  and  a recent  attempt  at  the  passage  of 
a law  of  this  kind  in  England  met  with  such  determined  opposition  as 
to  lead  its  advocates  to  withdraw  it,  though  we  believe  in  this  case  it 
was  obnoxious  to  serious  charges  of  inefficiency  in  many  particulars. 
Why  we  should  object  to  legal  restrictions  upon  the  sale  of  such  arti- 
cles as  are  now  in  daily  use  for  the  worst  of  purposes ; besides  being 
the  cause  of  many  sad  mistakes  by  being  kept  by  careless  and  inex- 
perienced persons  in  unsafe  and  improper  places,  among  groceries  and 
other  articles  of  daily  use  and  consumption,  is  more  than  your  Com- 
mittee are  able  to  answer.  If  all  our  apothecaries  were  educated  phar- 
maciens and  honest  men  besides,  we  should  be  able  to  see  the  reason 
for  such  objections;  but  no  one  will  claim  this  much  for  them,  and 
especially  for  such  as  lay  no  claim  to  any  professional  standing,  and 
who  keep  and  sell  arsenic  and  strychnine  from  the  same  shelf  or  drawer 
as  supcarb.  soda,  cream  of  tartar,  and  other  articles  used  in  our  culi- 
nary departments,  and  therefore  they  should  not  complain  if  the  people 
ask  some  protection  from  the  manifest  danger  of  such  indiscriminate 
barter  and  trade.  Besides  this,  a great  many  country  stores  and  village 
corner  groceries  keep  and  sell  many  articles  included  in  the  list  of 
poisons,  and  no  doubt  there  are  to  be  found  in  all  our  cities,  grocery 
stores  where  the  same  thing  is  done. 

When  Congress  passed  a law,  a few  years  since,  subjecting  all  drugs 
and  chemicals  from  a foreign  port  to  inspection  by  an  examiner 
appointed  by  government  for  that  purpose,  we  had  a great  outcry 
about  the  rights  of  trade  and  commerce,  but  now  all  acquiesce  in  such 
legal  restrictions,  and  most  approve  of  the  law  as  right  and  proper. 

In  every  State  in  the  Union  there  are  laws  similar  in  character,  as 
to  some  branch  of  trade  or  business,  while  almost  every  country  in  the 
old  world  has  special  and  often  very  stringent  enactments  upon  this 
very  subject. 

We  do  not  regard  it  as  at  all  needful  to  enter  into  any  argument  to 
prove  the  necessity  of  such  a law,  nor  to  array  the  statistics,  easily 
obtained,  to  show  the  number  of  deaths  yearly  for  the  want,  in  part 
at  least,  of  such  legal  provisions,  and  resulting  from  the  criminal  or 
careless  use  of  such  articles  as  are  usually  called  poisons.  If  there  is 
but  one , and  that  one  might  have  been  prevented,  the  argument  is  com- 
plete and  the  array  of  statistics  ample  for  our  purpose. 


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Life  is  not  so  cheap,  nor  its  tenure  so  certain,  that  we  can  afford  to 
allow  the  vicious  and  revengeful  such  ready  and  potent  means  for  its 
destruction,  or  leave  in  the  hands  of  the  careless  and  ignorant  such 
dangerous  implements  of  death.  If  there  is  any  one  who  wishes  to 
know  more  of  the  details  in  regard  to  these  cases  of  poisoning,  we 
refer  them  to  the  daily  papers  for  any  continuous  week,  and  they  will 
he  more  than  satisfied,  as  they  see  the  oft-recurring  heading  of 
“ Poisoned.” 

In  endeavoring  to  draw  up  such  a form  of  enactment  as  shall  meet 
the  wants  of  the  case,  we  find  great  difficulty,  — first,  in  specifying 
just  what  should  be  embraced  in  a list  of  “ poisons,”  and  secondly,  to 
guard  their  sale  sufficiently  without  materially  interfering  with  the 
legitimate  trade  of  the  apothecary. 

In  seeking  for  light  and  guidance,  we  have  referred  to  all  the  laws 
upon  this  subject  that  have  been  within  our  reach. 

The  most  severe  and  arbitrary  we  find  to  exist  in  Europe,  especially 
in  France  and  Prussia.  In  the  first-named  country,  the  list  of  such 
articles  is  very  large,  and  embraces  every  article  that  could  probably 
cause  death  in  the  hands  of  the  criminal  or  careless  dealer  or  buyer.  The 
shop  of  the  vendor  is  subject  to  regular  and  irregular  visitations  and 
close  inspection,  and  all  such  articles  are  registered  and  reported  once 
in  so  long  a time,  and  kept  in  peculiar  shaped  and  colored  bottles, — 
with  various  safeguards  beside. 

In  the  latter,  the  apothecary  is  obliged  to  subscribe  to  an  oath,  in 
which  he  specifically  agrees  to  abide  by  the  laws  in  general,  and  such 
as  relate  to  his  business  in  particular,  and  he  is  subject  to  the  same 
visitation  and  inspection  as  in  France,  and  in  both  countries  no  one 
can  open  an  apothecary  shop  without  a rigid  examination  into  their 
qualifications,  integrity,  and  character,  and  the  procurement  of  a 
license  granted  upon  such  examination.  In  Ireland,  the  law  is  equally 
rigid,  but  not  so  strictly  enforced,  while  in  England  and  Scotland  it  is 
more  lax  and  more  neglected. 

In  many  of  the  States  of  this  country  we  have  laws  regulating  the 
sale  of  poisons ) in  none  of  them,  as  we  are  aware,  except  in  New 
York,  is  there  any  attempt  to  regulate  the  general  business  of  an  apothe- 
cary, and  this  statute  in  New  York  is  too  imperfect  to  be  of  any 
practical  value  in  this  respect.  In  all  the  Southern  States,  laws  exist 
with  regard  to  the  sale  of  such  drugs  to  slaves,  and  in  many  of  them 
minors  are  included,  while  in  many  of  the  Northern  States  the  prohi- 
bition is  in  regard  to  minors  and  persons  of  unsound  mind.  In  some 
of  the  States,  as  in  Ohio,  there  is  a regular  code  embracing  most  that 
is  required,  though  making  no  effort  to  restrict  the  number  of  such  as 
shall  sell  poisons,  by  requirements  touching  their  qualifications. 

In  almost  all  there  is  a difference  made,  as  between  the  regular  phy- 
sician and  his  prescription,  and  an  ordinary  call  for  these  articles,  and 
in  no  case  is  there  any  specification  as  to  who  shall  be  considered  a 
regular  physician,  whose  prescription  is  to  be  entitled  to  respect. 

Many  of  the  laws  upon  this  subject  have  been  too  prolix,  covering 
half  the  materia  medica  and  everything  which  might  prove  dangerous 
in  the  hands  of  the  vicious  or  ignorant.  Others,  with  a view  to 
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embrace  only  the  most  common  and  frequently  sold  articles,  specify 
only  two  or  three.  The  one  fails  because  it  seeks  to  do  too  much,  and 
the  other  fails  also  because  it  attempts  too  little.  There  are  some 
articles,  such  as  arsenic , that  are  known  to  the  most  ignorant  as  a 
deadly  and  sure  poison  because  of  its  frequent  use  in  the  destruction 
of  vermin,  while  there  are  others  equally  sure  and  much  more  rapid 
in  their  effect,  as  nicotine , that  are  scarcely  recognized  except  by  the 
physician  and  dispensing  apothecary.  There  are  others  holding  an 
intermediate  position,  and  need  to  be  guarded  with  less  care  than  the 
first,  but  more  than  the  second. 

To  meet  all  these  points  will  be  found  no  easy  task.  In  Europe,  as 
has  been  remarked,  the  laws  are  much  more  stringent  than  we  can 
pass,  or  enforce  if  passed ; for  instance,  we  cannot  expect  to  regulate 
the  general  business  of  the  apothecary  so  far  as  to  compel  him  to  an 
examination  before  entering  upon  such  a business. 

What  we  need,  and  what  we  think  we  can  have,  is  a law  that  can  be 
made  nearly  uniform  in  all  the  States.  It  must,  to  be  effectual, 
embody  two  things,  — first,  a clear  specification  of  who  may  and  who 
may  not  sell  poisons,  in  small  quantities,  and  thus  limit  the  number 
of  places  where  such  articles  can  be  had  ; and  secondly,  what  articles 
shall  be  deemed  poisons,  and  under  what  restrictions  they  may  be 
sold. 

Your  Committee  recommend,  therefore,  that  none  but  practising 
physicians,  and  apothecaries  who  shall  hold  either  a diploma  from  a 
college  of  pharmacy,  or  the  certificate  of  the  American  Pharma- 
ceutical Association,  or  the  certificate  of  two  or  more  respectable 
practitioners  of  medicine  of  the  town  where  they  reside,  as  to  their 
qualifications  as  apothecaries  and  their  integrity  as  men,  shall  be 
allowed  to  sell  in  quantities  less  than  such  as  are  specified  in  the  list  of 
articles  known  as  poisons. 

Also,  that  a record  of  all  such  articles,  when  sold  to  strangers  or  in 
small  quantities,  shall  be  kept,  including  the  name  of  the  purchaser, 
and  sex,  and  the  articles  sold.  This  must  embrace  all  such  sales, 
whether  sold  on  prescription  or  not,  except  when  the  physician  is 
present  himself. 

We  append  the  laws  that  already  exist,  so  far  as  we  have  them  at 
hand,  also  a list  of  such  poisons  and  dangerous  drugs  as  we  think 
should  be  embraced  in  such  legal  restraints  and  a form  of  law. 

For  this  list,  and  many  valuable  suggestions  in  regard  to  this  law, 
we  are  in  part  indebted  to  some  of  the  oldest  and  most  respectable 
apothecaries  of  New  York  city,  among  whom,  we  name  with  pleasure, 
Jno.  Milhau  & Son,  Jno.  Meakim,  Wm.  Hegeman,  and  others. 

Maine  and  New  Hampshire  agree  in  requiring  the  following  poison- 
ous substances,  viz.  arsenic,  corrosive  sublimate,  nux  vomica,  strych- 
nine, and  prussic  acid  to  be  sold  (except  upon  prescription  of  a physi- 
cian) only  under  the  following  restrictions  : 1st.  The  bottle  or  pack- 
age must  be  furnished  with  a label  bearing  the  name  of  the  article,  and 
the  word  “ Poison  ” distinctly  upon  it.  2d.  The  name  of  the  pur- 
chaser, together  with  the  quantity  bought,  must  be  entered  upon  a 
register  kept  for  that  purpose.  3d.  None  of  these  articles  may  be 


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placed  on,  or  within  200  rods  of  a highway,  for  the  purpose  of  killing 
noxious  animals.  The  penalty  in  the  former  State  may  be  $50,  in  the 
latter  $100. 

Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Oregon,  Iowa,  and  Missouri  also  require  labels 
for  substances  usually  called  poisonous,  and  the  last-named  State  pro- 
vides that  they  shall  not  be  sold  to  minors  or  slaves.  The  penalty  in 
the  •first  three  States  may  be  $100. 

The  statutes  of  Massachusetts  provide  that  any  person  selling 
arsenic,  strychnine,  corrosive  sublimate,  or  prussic  acid,  except  upon 
the  written  prescription  of  a physician,  shall  keep  the  record  of,  first, 
the  date ; second,  the  article  sold ; third,  its  amount ) and  fourth  the 
name  of  the  purchaser.  Penalty  not  more  than  $50.  Any  purchaser 
giving  a fictitious  name  is  liable  to  a fine  not  exceeding  $50. 

But  the  Ohio  code  is  more  complete  on  this  subject  than  t f 
any  other  State  in  the  Union. 

It  provides  that  no  person  shall  sell  or  give  away  any  poisonous  sub- 
stance, save  upon  the  prescription  of  a physician,  except  under  the 
following  restrictions : — 

I.  He  shall  register  in  a book  kept  for  the  purpose  : 

1st.  The  name,  sex,  and  color  of  the  purchaser. 

2d.  The  quantity  purchased. 

3d.  The  purpose  to  which  the  purchaser  intends  applying  it. 

4th.  The  day  and  date  on  which  the  purchase  was  made. 

5th.  The  name  and  residence  of  the  person  for  whom  it  is  pur- 
chased. 

II.  The  bottle  or  package  shall  be  labelled  “ Poison.” 

III.  Such  articles  shall  not  be  sold  to  minors. 

IV.  Purther,  with  regard  to  arsenic  alone,  that  no  quantity  of  this 
substance,  less  than  one  pound,  shall  be  sold,  except  upon  prescription 
of  a physician,  until  it  shall  have  been  mixed  with  soot  or  indigo,  in 
the  proportion  of  an  ounce  of  soot  or  half  an  ounce  of  indigo  to  an 
ounce  of  arsenic. 

The  New  York  law  requires,  that  persons  who  sell  poisons  shall 
register  the  names  and  residences  of  parties  purchasing,  unless  in 
case  of  a physician’s  prescriptions.  The  labelling  must  be  attended 
to  properly.  The  poisons  here  referred  to  are  arsenic  and  its  prepara- 
tions, oxalic  acid,  corrosive  sublimate,  chloroform,  sugar  of  lead,  tartar 
emetic,  opium  and  its  preparations,  oil  of  bitter  almonds,  the  cyanides, 
deadly  nightshade,  henbane,  and  poison  hemlock. 

The  sale  of  the  following  poisons  by  retail  is  prohibited  unless  by 
the  written  order  of  a regular  authorized  practising  physician,  whose 
name  and  residence  shall  be  attached  to  such  order  : prussic  acid, 
aconite  and  its  preparations,  atropia  and  its  salts,  cantharides,  croton 
oil,  daturia  and  its  salts,  delphinia  and  its  salts,  digitalis  and  its  prep- 
arations, nux  vomica  and  its  preparations,  elaterium,  ergot  and  its 
preparations,  veratria  and  its  salts,  cannabis  indica  and  its  prep- 
arations. A fine  of  $100  may  be  recovered  for  a violation  of  these 
restrictions. 

The  Pennsylvania  law  directs  that  no  apothecary  or  druggist  or 
other  person  shall  retail  any  morphia,  strychnine,  arsenic,  prussic 


276 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


acid,  or  corrosive  sublimate,  except  upon  prescription  of  a physician 
or  on  the  personal  application  of  some  respectable  inhabitant  of  the 
place,  of  full  age.  The  word  poison  shall  be  legibly  marked  on  the 
bottle  or  package,  and  when  sold  otherwise  than  by  prescription  of  a 
physician,  the  name  and  residence  of  the  person  to  whom  sold,  the 
quantity  sold,  and  the  date  of  the  sale,  shall  be  entered  on  a register 
kept  for  the  purpose.  A person  violating  these  provisions  shall  be 
guilty  of  misdemeanor  and  fined,  not  exceeding  $50. 

G.  B.  GUTHRIE,  M.  D., 

Chairman  of  Committee. 


LIST  OF  REGISTERED  MEMBERS 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


John  M.  Moriarty,  m.  d.,  “ 
Jos.  Smith, 

Geo.  A.  Curtis, 

Moses  Kimball, 

Wm.  W.  Clapp,  Jr. 

Geo.  B.  Upton, 

Thos.  Aspinwall, 


Boston — Frederic  W.  Lincoln,  Jr.,  Major  — Board  of  Health. 
Francis  E.  Faxon,  Alderman.  “ “ 

Eben'r  Atkins, 

Silas  Peirce, 

Harrison  0.  Briggs, 

Clement  Willis, 

Jos.  T.  Bailey, 

Samuel  D.  Crane, 

Thos.  C.  Amory,  Jr., 

Otis  Clapp,  “ 

Jonathan  Preston,  u 

Jesse  Holbrook,  u 

James  L.  Hanson,  u 

Henry  G.  Clark,  m.  d.,  City  Physician, 

Jacob  Bigelow,  m.  d.,  Consulting  “ 

John  Jeffries,  m.  d.,  “ 

Geo.  Hayward,  m.  d.,  “ 

D.  Humphreys  Storer,  m.d.  “ 

James  Ayer,  m.  d.,  “ 


Director  Public  Institutions * 

U u 


Board  of  Trade . 


278 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


Boston  Dispensary . 


J.  Mason  Warren,  m.  d.,  Mass.  General  Hospital. 

B.  S.  Shaw,  “ “ “ 

Chas.  E.  Ware,  “ “ “ 

Henry  J.  Bigelow,  “ “ “ 

S.  D.  Townsend,  “ “ “ 

James  Jackson,  m.  d.,  Suffolk  District  Medical  Society  - 
Chas,  G.  Putnam,  “ 

Geo.  Bartlett,  “ 

Walter  Channing,  m.  d. 

S.  A.  Green,  “ 

D.  D.  Slade, 

J.  B.  S.  Jackson, 

Geo.  H.  Lyman, 

John  B.  Alley, 

C.  D.  Homans, 

Silas  Durkee, 

J.  B.  Brown, 

Eli  W.  Blake, 

Buckminster  Brown,  “ 

John  Homans,  “ 

John  C.  Dalton,  “ 

Geo.  Hayward, 

Henry  K.  Oliver, 

Z.  B.  Adams, 

John  Ware, 

John  S.  H.  Fogg 
Ezra  Palmer, 

J.  A.  Cummings, 

P.  M.  Crane, 

Morrill  Wyman, 

William  Ingalls, 

Calvin  Ellis, 

Bobert  Ware, 

Josiah  Quincy,  Jr., 

Geo.  II  Snelling, 

Bev.  Edward  E.  Hale 
Josiah  Curtis,  m d., 

Bev.  S.  K.  Lotiirop, 

S.  Cabot,  Jr.,  m.  d..  Society  for  Medical  Improvement - 
J.  B.  Upiiam,  “ “ “ “ 

Edward  Beynolds,  m.d.,  “ “ “ 


u u 

u a 

Boston  Medical  Society. 

u u 

Boston  Medical  Association, 
u u 

U li 

ll  u 

a u 

ii  i u 

Massachusetts  Medical  Society. 


Boston  Society  of  Med.  Obser. 
u u 

Boston  Sanitary  Association. 


National  Quarantine  Convention , 


279 


Francis  Minot,  Society  for  Medical  Improvement. 

Henry  W.  Williams,  u “ “ “ 

Wm.  W.  Morland,  “ “ “ “ 

John  Bacon,  m.d.,  Medical  Department  Harvard  College. 
Henry  J.  Bowditch,  m.  d.,  “ “ “ 

Edward  Hamilton,  Superintendent  Alien  Passengers . 
L.  M.  Barker,  m.  d.,  “ Rainsford  Island  Hospital. 

Joseph  M.  Wightman,  By  Invitation. 

Charles  H.  Stedman,  m.  d.,  11  “ 

Nath’l  B.  Shurtleff,  if  ((  “ 

O.  W.  Holmes,  (<  “ “ 

A.  A.  G-ould,  ((  C(  11 

E.  B.  Elliot,  “ 

J.  Y.  C.  Smith,  ((  ((  “ 

Bight  Bey.  Manton  Easteurn,  (C  “ 

Bey.  Warren  Burton,  u u 

Bev.  Wm.  B.  Nicholson,  “ “ 

Bev.  Gteo.  W.  Blagden.  “ “ 

Hon.  John  P.  Bigelow,  “ li 

Ezra  Forristall,  Superintendent  Internal  Health. 


Alfred  T.  Turner, 

Daniel  J.  Coburn, 

Chelsea — Charles  A.  Davis,  m.  d., 
Boxbury  — Theodore  Otis,  Mayor. 

Albert  J.  Bellows,  m.  d., 
Horatio  Gr.  Morse,  “ 
Ira  Allen,  “ 

Wm.  F.  Jackson,  “ 

Joseph  H.  Streeter, 
Charlestown  — James  Dana,  Mayor. 

L.  Y.  Bell,  m.  d., 

Bev.  J.  B.  Miles, 
Wm.  W.  Whieldon, 

T.  T.  Sawyer. 


Superintendent  Streets. 

Chief  of  Police. 
U.  S.  Marine  Hospital. 

City  Council. 


City  Council. 


South  Danvers  — S.  A.  Lord,  m.d., 

New  Bedford  — Chas.  D.  Stickney,  m.  d., 
Pittsfield  — H.  IL.  Childs,  m.d., 

Lynn  — Edward  S.  Davis,  Mayor. 

Salem  — S.  P.  Webb,  Mayor. 

Medford  — C.  y.  Bemis,  m.d., 

Alfred  Brooks, 

Somerville  — John  E.  Tyler,  m.  d., 


Board  of  Health. 

(C 

By  Invitation. 

By  Invitation, 
u u 

By  Invitation. 


280 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


NEW  YORK. 

New  York  City  — John  II.  Griscom,  m.  d.,  Sanitary  Association. 

Wm.  B.  Bibbins,  “ “ “ 

Truman  Nichols,  “ “ “ 

Henry  Guernsey,  “ “ “ 


Edward  G.  Ludlow,  m.  d., 


Cham,  of  Commerce. 


John  Ordronaux, 

J.  P.  Batchelder, 

Samuel  S.  Purple, 

N.C.  Husted, 

Charles  H.  Haswell, 

C.  C.  Savage, 

E.  L.  Viele, 

E.  E.  Mather, 

S.  B.  Halliday, 

Prosper  M.  Wetmore, 

John  P.  Garrish,  m.  d.,  Academy  of  Medicine. 
Alex.  H.  Stevens,  “ “ “ 

Alfred  Underhill,  m.  d.,  N.  Y.  Med.  Asso. 
Elisha  Harris,  m.  d.,  AT.  Y.  Medical  Society. 
Lewis  A.  Sayre,  “ 

Utica  — N.  H.  Bering,  “ 

Kondout  — A.  Crispell,  m.  d.,  “ 

Rochester — H.  W.  Bean,  m.  d.  “ 

Kingston  — J.  0.  Van  Hoerenburgii,  m.  d. 

Greenwich  — Hiram  Corliss,  “ 

Middleville  — A.  E.  Varney,  “ 

New  York  City  — Wm.  J.  Peck, 

Joseph  Shannon, 

Morgan  Jones, 

John  H.  Brady, 

George  Starr, 

Ira  A.  Allen, 

Charles  McCarty, 

John  McConnell, 

C.  C.  Pinckney, 

Gilbert  M.  Platt, 

Cornelius  W.  Campbell, 

Harris  Bogert, 

Lawrence  M.  Van  Wart. 


Common  Council, 
u a 

u a 

a « 

a a 


National  Quarantine  Convention . 


281 


Brooklyn  — S.  S.  Powell,  Mayor. 

Joseph  B.  Jones,  m.  d.,  Health  Officer. 

John  A.  Brady,  m.  d.,  Kings  Co.  Medical  Society. 
A.  N.  Bell,  m.  d.,  “ “ “ 

Stapleton  — Wm.  C.  Anderson,  m.  d.,  Richmond  Co.  Med.  Society. 
Castleton  — Edward  C.  Mundy,  m.  d. 

Albany  — S.  Oakley  Yanderpool,  m.  d.,  Board  of  Health. 
Buffalo  — Moses  Bristol,  m.  d. 

Staten  Island  — A.  N.  Gunn,  m.  d.,  Health  Officer , Port  of  N.  Y. 
Saugerties  — Thomas  S.  Dawes,  m.  d.,  Ulster  Co.  Med.  Society. 

NEW  JERSEY. 

Newark  — Moses  Bigelow,  Mayor,  Board  of  Health. 

J.  A.  Nichols,  m.  d.,  “ “ 

G.  H.  Bruen,  “ “ 

N.  C.  Ball,  “ “ 

D.  C.  Dodd,  Jr.,  “ “ 

C.  Eyrick,  m.  d.,  Essex  County  District  Medical  Society. 
J.  A.  Cross,  m.  d.,  “ “ “ 

E.  P.  Nichols,  “ “ “ “ 

Luther  G.  Thomas,  m.  d.,  “ “ “ 

Gabriel  Grant,  m.  d.,  Newark  Medical  Association. 

Jersey  City  — S.  L.  Condict,  m.  d.,  Hudson  Co.  Dis.  Med.  Society. 
Elizabethtown  — P.  W.  Oakley,  m.  d.,  Union  Co.  Med.  Society. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

Philadelphia  — Wilson  Jewell,  m.  d.,  Col.  of  Phys’ns  & Surgeons. 

Thomas  Stewardson,  m.  d.,  “ “ 

Gouverneur  Emerson,  “ “ “ 

Wm.  M.  Buschenberger,  m.  d.,  “ “ 

R.  La  Roche,  m.  d.,  Philadelphia  Medical  Society. 
C.  P.  La  Roche,  m.  d.,  “ “ “ 

H.  St.  Clair  Ash,  m.  d.,  Phila.  Co.  Med.  Society. 
John  F.  Lamb.  “ “ “ 

Wm.  Taylor,  m.  d.,  Board  of  Health. 

MARYLAND . 

Baltimore  — Judson  Gilman,  m.  d.,  Board  of  Health. 

J.  W.  Houck,  m.d.,  “ “ 

36 


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National  Quarantine  Convention. 


RHODE  ISLAND  . 

Providence — Jabez  C.  Knight,  Mayor. 

E.  M.  Snow,  m.  d., 

G.  L.  Collins,  m.  d., 

E.  H.  Peckiiam,  m.  d., 
Timothy  Newell,  m.  d., 


Board  of  Health, 
u u 

u u 

Medical  Association. 
By  Invitation. 


OHIO  . 

Cincinnati — Edward  Mead,  m.  d.,  By  Invitation. 

Columbus — Robert  Thompson,  m.  d.,  “ “ 

TENNESSEE. 

Memphis — C.  B.  Guthrie,  m.  d. 


GEORGIA. 

Savannah  — R.  D.  Arnold,  m.  d.,  Mayor. 


LT.  S.  ARMY. 

Boston  — A.  N.  McLaren,  Surgeon. 


ERRATA. 


Page  63 — For  “Dr.  Condiet,”  read  “Dr.  Condict.” 

“ 74 — After  Mr.  Haswell’s  resolution,  insert  “Adopted.” 

“ 92 — For  “Dr.  Stone,”  read  “Dr.  Storer.” 

“ 93 — Line  15 — For  “ contemporary,”  read  “ temporary.” 

“ 94 — After  resolutions  of  thanks,  insert  “ Adopted.” 

“ 98 — After  Alderman  Clapp’s  order,  insert  “Adopted.” 

“ 99 — After  “ Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,”  insert  “Jr.” 


GENERAL  INDEX 


PAGE 

Introduction  - 3 

Officers  of  Convention  - --  --  --  --  - 5 

Committees  for  1860-61  - --  --  --  --  - 6 

First  Day’s  Proceedings.  — Morning  Session. 

Opening  and  Temporary  Organization  - --  --  --  9 

Rules  and  Orders  - --  --  --  --  --  10 

Speech  of  Welcome,  by  Mayor  Lincoln  - --  --  --  11 

Invitations  - --  --  --  --  --  - 12 

Remarks  of  Gen.  P.  M.  Wetmore  - --  --  --  - 13 

Permanent  Organization  - --  --  --  --  - 16 

Remarks  of  Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow  ---------  17 

Reports  of  Committees  on  “ Food,”  “ Civic  Cleanliness,”  “ External 
Hygiene,”  “ Wet  Docks,”  “ Registration,”  and  “ Control  of 
Poisons  18 

Discussion  of  Report  on  “ Poisons  ” --------  19 

Resolution  on  Ventilation  of  Cellars,  and  Discussion  thereon  - 21 

Afternoon  Session. 

Business  Committee  -----------  24 

Report  on  “ Vaccination  ” - --  --  --  --  25 

Resolution  on  “ Pleuro-Pneumonia  ” -------  26 

Resolutions  on  the  “ Sale  of  Poisons  ”-----*-  26 

Remarks  of  Dr.  Wilson  Jewell  --------  26,  27,  41,  43 

Dr.  C.  B.  Guthrie 28,  34,  39,  40,  43 

Dr.  Jno.  H.  Griscom  --------  28,  37 

Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow  --------  29, 40 

Dr.  John  Ordronaux  - --  --  --  - 63 

Dr.  L.  A.  Sayre * - - - 33, 37, 39 

Dr.  A.  H.  Stevens  ---------  37 

Dr.  *J.  B.  Jones  - --  --  --  --  38 

Dr.  Saunders  - --  --  --  --  42 

Dr.  Guernsey  - --  --  --  --  42 

Hon.  Moses  Kimball  - --  --  --  - 43 


286 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


Second  Day’s  Proceedings. — Morning  Session. 

PAGE 

Discussion  of  Report  on  “ External  Hygiene  45 

Remarks  of  Gen.  Wetmore  - --  --  --  --  45 

Dr.  R.  Thompson  ---------  48 

Dr.  J.  H.  Griscom  ---------  49,  51 

Dr.  A.  N.  Bell  ---------  49 

Gen.  F.  E.  Mather  - 50 

Dr.  W.  C.  Anderson  - --  --  --  - 51 

Dr.  Jno.  Ordronaux  - --  --  --  - 53 

Resolutions  from  Business  Committee  on  “ Sale  of  Poisons,”  “ Pleuro- 
Pneumonia,”  “ Civic  Cleanliness,”  “Registration,”  and  Permanent 
Organization  of  the  Convention  - --  --  --  53 

Remarks  (on  “ Civic  Cleanliness”)  of  E.  L.  Yiele  -----  54-64 

Dr.  W.  Jewell  - 56 

Dr.  A.  N.  Bell  - 57 

Dr.  C.  B.  Guthrie  - - - - 57 

Aid.  Otis  Clapp  - 58 

S.  B.  Halliday  - 59 

Aid.  J.  T.  Bailey  - - - - 62 

Dr.  S.  L.  Condict  - 63 

Gen.  F.  E.  Mather  - - - 64 

Resolution  on  “ State  Medicine  ^ - --  --  --  - 65 

Remarks  of  Dr.  Jno.  Ordronaux  - --  --  --  - 65,  70 

Dr.  J.  H.  Griscom  ---------  70 

Gen.  Wetmore  - --  --  --  --  71 

Resolutions  on  “ Wet  Docks  P - --  --  --  --  71 

“Yellow  Fever”  - --  --  --  - 72 

Committees  on  “Dispensaries,”  “Quality  of  Food,”  “ Tenement  Houses,” 

and  “ Sources  of  Miasmata 73 
R olution  on  Sewerage  [see  Errata]  - --  --  --  74 

Evening  Session. 

Letter  on  Drainage,  from  Geo.  B.  Emerson  ------  75 

Remarks  on  “ Disinfection  by  Heat,”  by  Dr.  E.  Harris  - - - - 76,  77 

Dr.  R.  D.  Arnold  - - - 76 

Gen.  F.  E.  Mather  - - - 80 

Dr.  C.  B.  Guthrie  - - - 81 

Dr.  G.  Grant  - 83 

Discussion  on  Resolution  on  “ State  Medicine  ”-----  84 

Third  Day’s  Proceedings. 

Resolutions  from  Business  Committee  on  “ Heat  as  a Disinfectant,”  and 

“ State  Medicine  - --  --  --  --  - 86 

Remarks  by  D.  E.  Harris  - 87 

Gen.  F.  E.  Mather  - --  --  --  - 87 

J.  M.  Wightman  ---------  88,  89 

Dr.  W,  Jewell  - --  --  --  --  88 

Hon.  E.  .Everett  - --  --  --  --  89 

Hon.  M.  Kimball  ---------  90 

Gen.  Wetmore  - - 93 


National  Quarantine  Convention.  287 

PAGE 

Resolutions  of  thanks  to  City  of  Boston  [see  Errata]  - 94 

Resolution  on  Hours  of  Labor  - --  --  --  --  94 

Remarks  of  G.  H.  Snelling  -------  94 

D.  A.  H.  Stevens  ---------  95 

W.  Jewell  - --  --  --  --  - 96 

C.  C.  Savage  ----------  96 

Resolutions  on  “ State  Medicine,”  “ Maps,”  “ Statistics  of  Births,”  &c.  - 97 

Vote  of  Thanks  to  Directors  of  Public  Institutions  -----  98 

Vote  of  Thanks  to  Mayor  Lincoln  - --  --  --  - 98 

Resolution  on  Next  Place  of  Meeting  - --  --  --  98 

Committees  99 

General  Vote  of  Thanks  - --  --  --  --  - 100 

Resolution  on  “ External  Hygiene  ” - - - - - - - - 100 

Valedictory  of  the  President  - --  --  --  --  101 

Collation  at  Deer  Island. 

Speech  of  Hon.  Joseph  Smith  - --  --  --  --  105 

Hon.  R.  D.  Arnold  - --  --  --  --  107 

Dr.  Wilson  Jewell  - --  --  --  --  109 

Hon.  F.  W.  Lincoln,  Jr.  - --  --  --  - 111 

Hon.  John  A.  Goodwin  - --  --  --  - 112 

Hon.  Moses  Kimball  ---------  113 

J.  P.  Bradlee,  Esq.  - --  --  --  --  117 

Banquet  at  Revere  House. 

Speech  of  Hon.  F.  W.  Lincoln,  Jr.  -------  121 

Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow  -------  122 

Hon.  N.  P.  Banks  ---------  124 

Charles  H.  Haswell  -------  125 

Dr.  Wilson  Jewell  ---------  126 

Hon.  R.  D.  Arnold  - --  --  --  - 127 

Hon.  Jabez  C.  Knight  --------  128 

Hon.  Edward  Everett  - --  --  --  - 129 

Dr.  Judson  Gilman  - --  --  --  - 132 

Dr.  C,  B.  Guthrie  ---------  133 

Dr.  O.  W.  Holmes  ---------  134 

Dr.  Jno.  Ordronaux  - --  --  --  - 136 

Dr.  C.  C.  Savage  ---------  139 

Gen.  P.  M.  Wetmore  - --  --  --  - 140 

Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.  - - - - 142 

Aid.  N.  C.  Ball  ---------  142 

Gen.  F.  E.  Mather  - - - --  --  - 144 

Rev.  S.  K.  Lothrop,  D.  D.  - - - - - - - 145 

Dr.  Jno.  Griscom  ---------  146 

Dr.  H.  G.  Clark  ---------  146 

Dr.  A.  H.  Stevens  - - - - - - - - 147 

Lt.  N.  A.  McLaren  - --  --  --  - 147 

Colonel  Thomas  Aspinwall  -------  147 

Jno.  C.  Wyman,  Esq.  - --  --  --  - 148 

Hon.  James  Dana  ---------  149 

Jno.  C.  Tucker  - --  --  --  --  150 

Hon.  Moses  Kimball  - - - - - - - - 150 


288 


National  Quarantine  Convention. 


APPENDIX. 


Appendix  A. 

Quarantine  Regulations,  as  reported  from  the  Committee  on  External 

Hygiene,  by  Dr.  A,  N.  Bell,  and  adopted  by  the  Convention  - - 157 

Brief  Summary,  relative  to  an  International  System  of  Quarantine,  by 

Dr.  D.  B.  Reid 191 

Appendix  B. 

Report  on  Registration,  by  Dr.  E.  M.  Snow  ------  197 

Appendix  C. 

Essay  on  “ Heat  as  a Disinfectant,”  by  Dr.  Elisha  Harris  - 219 

Appendix  D. 

Report  on  “ Civic  Cleanliness,”  and  the  “ Economical  Disposition  of  the 

Refuse  of  Cities,”  by  Egbert  L.  Viele  ------  241 

Appendix  E. 

Report  on  the  “ Legal  Control  of  Poisons  and  Dangerous  Drugs  ” - - 271 

Errata  - --  --  --  --  --  --  284 

List  op  Registered  Members  - --  --  --  - 277 


I 


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